Nick Ware

Mon 29 March 2021 7:28, UK

Jermain Defoe is desperate to secure one more year at Rangers to experience the adulation of Bears in grounds.

Defoe, 38, has only featured 14 times this season and made just four starts as Gers have enjoyed a season for the ages en route to title no.55.

The likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe have been well ahead of him in the pecking order but that hasn’t scared him off extending his Ibrox stay, as he told Darren Bent’s Boot Room on talkSPORT [19:30, 28/03/21].

“The big thing for me, this season has been so different with no fans in the stadium,” he said.

“If any player was thinking of finishing, to play a season without fans it’s like training games. It would be hard to finish with no fans. I’ll listen to my body as well and see how I feel.

“This season, I’ve only had a couple of injuries, nothing major. I’m quite relaxed about it. I want to play another season in front of the fans.

“This season has been special, I don’t know how I’ll top that. Just a personal one to finish in front of the fans.”

Difficult decision

Defoe is obviously a key figure in the dressing room and his jovial demeanour and years of experience is vital in fostering a harmonious atmosphere at Auchenhowie.

Furthermore his razor-sharp finishing abilities ensure he will always remain a threat around the penalty area.

But whether extending his Gers contract makes economical sense is another matter.

According to Salary Sport Defoe earns £20,000-a-week which is the fifth-highest total at the club.

That means he rakes in more than first-team mainstays Ryan Kent, Borna Barisic and Steven Davis.

If he agreed to a substantial wage cut or a ‘pay-as-you-play’ deal then a one-year extension could be viable.

Particularly with an increase of revenue expected this year with the riches of Champions League football on offer, there could be a little pot to dip into for Steven Gerrard to keep an important presence around the squad.

In other Rangers news, ex-int’l boss slams Ianis Hagi treatment by Gers.