THIS IS A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Gerrard says age means nothing as he guarantees goals with Defoe in his Ibrox line-up

STEVEN GERRARD predicts a rude awakening for anyone who thinks Jermain Defoe’s powers are fading in the twilight of his career.

His former England colleague may now be 36, but Gerrard sees a clean-living physical specimen that would be the envy of players a decade younger. Not to mention one whose ambition burns as brightly as ever.

Securing Defoe on an 18-month loan from Bournemouth has thrilled the Ibrox manager. His sales pitch was a simple one. Come north, score goals and help drive this club towards silverware success. He is sure Defoe is ready to respond. Putting him together with Rangers is, Gerrard insists, ‘a match made in heaven’.

The ex-Spurs, West Ham and Sunderland striker is expected to have a first training session with his new colleagues today as their winter camp in Tenerife continues.

And Gerrard cannot wait to savour what he brings alongside the experienced addition of returning hero Steven Davis.

‘The funny thing for me is people mentioning his age,’ the 38-year-old said of Defoe. ‘I’m telling you, doubt this kid at your peril because he is a very young 36-year-old.

‘He hasn’t played much in the last couple of years and he has a shape to die for in terms of how he looks after himself.

‘He does everything to the letter, so don’t be surprised…

‘In terms of natural finishers, he is up there with the Robbie Fowlers of this world. He is very similar, a player who only needs half a yard.

‘He’s up there with the best without a shadow of a doubt and if he stays fit and healthy then I know he guarantees goals for us.

‘We have been monitoring the situation for a while. I have the same agent as Jermain, so I was always asking the question.

‘Eddie Howe has been super respectful to him and to Rangers and we couldn’t have done this without his help.’

Defoe has scored for England at a World Cup but doesn’t have a collection of club medals to reflect his exceptional talents.

With Rangers level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership and with the Scottish Cup still to come, Gerrard feels those opportunities added to the lure of life at Ibrox.

‘Rangers sells itself but I tried to say to Jermain about where I was at that stage of my own playing career,’ he added.

‘For me, it was about enjoyment. I asked Jermain if a relegation battle was right for him at this stage of his career. Was him not being guaranteed games right for him at this stage, too?

‘He is well aware of the size of the club. He knows everything about Rangers.

‘He doesn’t drink, he’s a true professional, he loves his football and I just felt it was a match made in heaven, so it was my job to sell the club to him and explain what we are trying to achieve here.

‘I showed him how we are trying to play, how we are trying to evolve and he was super excited by that.

‘The chance to win some medals, that’s what came out of his mouth.

‘He wants the final chapter, if you like, to be successful. He has goals to chase and goals to score.

‘If we create chances then he will score heavy. He is buying right into it. He’s not coming in to replace anyone. He is coming in to enhance what we have.’

Rangers have usually operated with Alfredo Morelos as a lone striker, so Defoe’s signing opens different possibilities.

‘It would depend on the game and the situation but he can play with either Morelos or (Kyle) Lafferty or he can lead the line on his own,’ added Gerrard. ‘It gives us attacking options and I’m really excited by it all.’

The Rangers manager enjoyed a short family break in Dubai after the Old Firm triumph on December 29, but the progress of the Defoe and Davis deals was never far from his mind.

‘You can never really switch off, I guess, but in regards to those two signings, a lot of the work was done before I went away,’ he revealed. ‘I speak to (director of football) Mark (Allen) five or six times a day anyway and, for the club, it’s two fantastic signings. Having analysed the first half of the season, I looked at where we could strengthen and what areas we need to improve.

‘We felt we needed a bit of experience and a bit of know-how. We needed something more at the top end of the pitch to help with scoring goals, so I’m absolutely delighted to get two players of that calibre.

‘I’m very grateful to the club for the backing they have given me. Also, we are very grateful to Bournemouth and Southampton.’

Davis has signed on a six-month loan ahead of his contract at St Mary’s expiring in the summer. A winner of three league titles during his first spell at Ibrox, the Northern Ireland midfielder was an opponent of Gerrard’s with both club and country.

‘I remember playing against Steven Davis and he always gave me a tough game,’ reflected the Rangers manager.

‘He’s a very clever footballer and even when he was playing against strong Liverpool teams, he was someone who would always show for the ball and never hide.

‘He always took responsibility out there and that’s one of the big reasons I want him here. I feel in certain games and certain situations we’ve lacked that bit of experience and that player to really get on the ball and take games by the scruff of the neck.

‘He will be a huge help to the midfield and it’s a no-brainer. We’ve done a lot of background on him and spoken to (Northern Ireland boss) Michael O’Neill and players who have played with him. He’s in incredible shape for his age.

‘We see him as a young 34-yearold. He’s fit, available and ready to go now. When you think we’ve replaced Umar Sadiq and Ovie Ejaria with these two players, I’m very pleased with the business we’ve done.’

If we create chances, he’ll score heavy. He’s buying right into it