Since the arrival of Steven Gerrard as Rangers manager, the hype surrounding summer transfers has begun in a frenzied fashion. It seemed like anyone who had ever played for Liverpool with their legendary captain – or even met him on the street – were being linked with a move to Glasgow.
Rugged defender Martin Skrtel is being moored currently at Fenerbahce in Turkey, but his expensive wages could present a problem to the cash-strapped Ibrox club. In the last week, Jermaine Defoe has also become a consistent name in the media, and his signing would be an intriguing one certainly.
Defoe is now 35, and his age should be cause for caution to Gerrard and the Rangers support. The pace and raw speed that marked his earlier years have long dissipated, and these abilities were often what the striker relied on. His spiritual successor perhaps would be Jamie Vardy, the lightning-quick Leicester menace, but players of that ilk regress faster than those who base their game more on guile and skill.
SPFL defences might not be the best organised or tactically aware, but they don’t lack for pace on the turn and Defoe could find himself quickly stifled by packed numbers facing him.
He moved to his former club Bournemouth AFC last summer, having enjoyed a fruitful loan spell there in 2000/2001. His starting appearances were limited, and Defoe ended up with only 4 goals in 24 league appearances.
Defoe’s record in England, however, cannot be ignored: double figures in eight EPL seasons, Tottenham’s fifth highest goalscorer in history, and the EPL’s seventh highest. Simply put, the little striker knows where the goal is. Prolific for his country also, Defoe boasts 20 goals in just 57 international appearances for England.
It’s interesting to note that Defoe is a prolific marksman from the substitute’s bench, boasting the most goals scored from there with 22; even if Gerrard brought him to Scotland as a reserve, perhaps Defoe could offer quality from a bit-part role. He would demand a sizeable weekly wage, though, and its uncertain if the Ibrox club could afford that.
Defoe only left England briefly before, to play in the MLS with Toronto FC – 11 goals in 19 games was a good record to leave with – but the transfer would rest largely on his own desire to leave his home country for a new destination.
The temptation to experience success in Scotland may prove tempting. The league itself might be a step too far for Rangers this coming season, certainly, but the cups are a reasonable target and, in the twilight of his career, Defoe should relish the chance for glory.
