‘Desperate’ – Gerrard claims one Rangers player struggled despite 8-0 win v Hamilton
Steven Gerrard believes that Rangers striker Jermain Defoe was “trying too hard” to score against Hamilton Academical on Sunday.
Joe Aribo, Kemar Roofe and James Tavernier all grabbed braces, with Brandon Barker and Scott Arfield scoring the others, as Rangers won 8-0 at Ibrox.
Defoe has scored just two goals so far this season and the manager believes he was “desperate” for a goal.
“Sometimes you can try too hard,” said Gerrard (via The Herald).
“I’ve been there when you’re desperate for that goal and you’re trying all kinds and Jermain was probably trying too hard today. He was involved in a couple of important moments, however, like his swivel and pass for the first.
“He’s a quality operator with everything he does on and off the pitch. It was great to get him a full game today, as it was with Kemar. We’re getting Jermain, Kemar and Aribo really close to full fitness now which is a real help for me.”
Fight on his hands
Defoe has been a great centre-forward for a number of years and has been important for Rangers in recent seasons, scoring 13 goals in the Scottish Premiership in 2019-20 (via Transfermarkt).
However, with Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe finding their form and Defoe now 38, it is looking increasingly difficult for him to earn a starting spot.
Against Hamilton the former England international had three shots, completed two key passes and provided an assist (via WhoScored), but as Gerrard noted he looks increasingly desperate to score.
With Rangers challenging for the title and looking to make a run in the Europa League, there will be plenty of minutes to go around, but it is unlikely that Defoe will be in line for playing time in the biggest matches given his current form and the players ahead of him in the pecking order.
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