‘He still works like he’s 20’ – Rangers youngster names Gers star who is amazing mentor
Rangers youngster Josh McPake has detailed how Jermain Defoe has been a ‘great’ influence on his development as a striker.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Greenock Morton and is one of the brightest young prospects the Gers have on their books.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, McPake explained how watching the former Tottenham striker is putting him in the ‘right stead’.
He said, “Being able to watch players like Jermain Defoe first-hand has been great for me. He is coming to the end of his career but he still works like he’s 20. For me at 19 to look at that puts me in the right stead.
“After training, if you want to do extra finishing he’s always there to stay out. But most of the time he’s probably the one doing the extra stuff anyway.
“It’s the same with Alfredo Morelos — I learn from him too, just by watching. If they’re doing extra stuff after training I’ll watch and study them in games to see what they do and what I can bring into my game.”
McPake is yet to score for Morton in six competitive appearances for the Championship side this season but he has registered two assists.
He has started three of Morton’s league games this season so he will be disappointed to not have a goal to his name but he is still young and he will be learning from each game he plays.
Defoe has had a decent season at McPake’s parent club. Most recently he scored a sensational goal against Livingston in a 2-0 league win to notch up his 300th club goal.
The 37-year-old took James Tavernier’s exceptional pass in his stride and he only needed one touch to casually guide the ball past the Livingston keeper. It was easily one of the best Gers strikes this season, bettered only by Kemar Roofe’s effort against Anderlecht.
If McPake is to continue his development at Ibrox there are few strikers who could pass on as much knowledge onto a young player as Defoe and it is great to see him contributing on and off the pitch for Rangers.
In other Rangers news, one Gers player has turned in a brilliant performance for his country while on international duty.