DEFOE SETS SIGHTS ON HISTORY BOOKS
Defoe aims to make history at Rangers MARK WILSON
JERMAIN DEFOE is targeting a place in Rangers history as he begins his 18-month loan spell from Bournemouth. The 36-year-old striker revealed that the rich past and scale of the Ibrox club were key attractions in his decision to join — in addition to the chance to work for former England team-mate Steven Gerrard. Rangers haven’t won a major trophy since 2011, but are level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership — having played a game more — and still have a Scottish Cup campaign to come. Defoe admitted silverware was high in his thoughts for the remainder of this season, and next, as he seeks to make his mark north of the border. ‘I wanted to come here for obvious reasons, I’ve always known it’s a massive club,’ said Defoe, who underwent his first training session with his new team-mates in Tenerife yesterday. ‘The history of the club… as players
those are the clubs you want to play for and do well at. You want to be part of their history. ‘It was an easy decision, to be honest. If you love your football like me and you get a chance like this, it’s hard to turn it down. ‘I’ve been in the Premier League for so long and it’s always nice to have a different challenge. ‘Winning trophies was another draw. Being a part of the history and doing something special here, that would be amazing to be involved in.’ Defoe is one of two January signings made by Gerrard, with midfielder Steven Davis having rejoined Rangers on a six-month loan from Southampton. A pre-contract deal for Glen Kamara could also be fast-tracked into a move this month, with Dundee trying to strike an agreement after recalling him from a Finland training camp. ‘Steven Gerrard had a big influence because he’s a former team-mate and someone I’ve always admired and respected,’ Defoe told Rangers TV. ‘His enthusiasm is amazing. He wants to do well and, like me, wants to
be part of the history of Rangers and create something special. ‘My time at England with Stevie was good, now we must try to build something positive.’ Defoe could link with Alfredo Morelos in a revamped Rangers attack. While the Colombian’s part in the recent Old Firm game made headlines, Gerrard insists the striker is more sinned against than sinner when it comes to physical confrontations. And the Rangers manager argues that attention is a mark of how he has become the Premiership’s most feared striker. ‘Everyone singles out Alfredo — he’s a target for everyone,’ said Gerrard. ‘In the first half of the season he scored 20 goals. He’s been the best striker in the league by a country mile so he should see his treatment as a compliment. I would if I was him. ‘I can assure everyone we are working with Alfredo and he’s doing his best to try and improve his discipline on the pitch. ‘He is very young and gets kicked from pillar to post in the majority of games. Teams set out to stop him and the only way they can do that is to be physical with him. ‘But mostly he handles it well. Of course he’s made a couple of mistakes along the way — doesn’t everyone at his age?’ Meanwhile, Eduardo Herrera last night sealed his latest loan move back to Mexico,
joining Club Necaxa.