‘I can only imagine’ – Rangers Exclusive: McLeish reacts to Gerrard decision on ‘killer’ talent
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has claimed that Rangers striker Jermain Defoe can still offer Steven Gerrard’s side a “killer touch” when called upon.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Gers boss hailed the veteran hitman as a “fox in the box”, and admitted that he was unsure as to why the former England international has been omitted from Gerrard’s Europa League squad.
Defoe was one of three first team names left out of the Light Blues’ 21-man continental contingent earlier this week, alongside Jordan Jones and George Edmundson.
When asked whether there was anything more that could be read into Defoe’s absence from Gerrard’s European plans, McLeish told Ibrox News: “Only Steven Gerrard knows that.
“We can only guess. Maybe he’s got a niggle, you just don’t know.
“I’m sure he still feels Defoe has got a little bit of that killer touch left in him, bringing him on as a substitute when the other team is getting tired and Rangers are on top. It’s that poacher that he needs, that fox in the box, if you like.
“I can only imagine that there’s a wee knock, unless there’s something that we don’t know.”
Defoe has endured a disrupted start the 2020/21 campaign, and has registered just 29 minutes over two Scottish Premiership appearances after starting the season with a hamstring injury.
He did, however, register a goal and an assist in a 24-minute cameo against Lincoln Red Imps in September’s Europa League qualifier.
In other Rangers news, Mauricio Pochettino left raving about this Gers star man.