Gerrard delight at proposed Defoe deal
STEVEN GERRARD has hailed the imminent signing of Jermain Defoe on a permanent Rangers contract — as he reiterated that the door remains shut on a January exit for Alfredo Morelos. Defoe is currently on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the season, when his deal at the English Premier
League club expires, but is poised to finalise an additional 12 months at Ibrox after further talks. The 37-year-old scored his 16th goal of the campaign to seal Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over St Mirren and will again lead the attacking line in tomorrow’s visit to Tynecastle, while Morelos completes a three-game ban. ‘I’m expecting some good news to be announced, it’s just about the final details,’ said Gerrard (left). ‘That’s a big statement and will make me happy. Jermain has been
massive for us. He is so important to the team, the squad, to the club because of the way he behaves on and off the pitch. ‘It was a typical defoe (below) goal the other night against St Mirren, where he was at the right place at the right time. He’s the quickest to react and that’s not luck or a fluke. ‘He’s been doing that over the last couple of decades. He is someone to aspire to.’ Asked if there would be a coaching element to defoe’s new arrangement, Gerrard added: ‘there won’t be anything in the contract but my attitude hasn’t changed — I would welcome it. ‘I think he should continue to do what he’s doing, because he’s doing it ever so well, but for all the players who are further on into their careers we are an open door in terms of trying to help them progress in the coaching department.’ Fellow Light Blues striker Morelos is attracting interest from Sevilla. Sportsmail reported yesterday that the Spanish side have been advised to wait until the summer before launching a big-money bid as they would be wasting their time in the current window. ‘I think there have been three or four teams linked with Alfredo in the last couple of days,’ said Gerrard. ‘I expected it because we’re coming into the last week of the window. ‘We have a long list of who Alfredo has been linked with in the 20 months that I’ve been here but my message won’t change: he’s not for sale, he won’t be sold and we haven’t received any bid for him. ‘that’s the same for Connor Goldson, Glen Kamara, tav (James tavernier). None of our best players will be leaving, certainly in this window. We don’t want to sell any of our best players. ‘If someone drops a massive, massive offer we will do exactly what we will do at any other time and look at it and deal with it. ‘that’s something we can’t control. But, for me, I will be saying no, however big the offer is right now, because of where we’re at and where we sit.’ While Greg docherty could depart next week, Gerrard expects US international Matt Polster to stay and fight for his place.