McLeish View: Jermain Defoe desperate to sign new Rangers contract after win v Cove
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 believes that Rangers forward Jermain Defoe is desperate to remain at Ibrox despite his contract expiring this summer.
The veteran striker opened the scoring in the 4-0 victory against Cove in the Scottish Cup third-round on Sunday evening.
McLeish admitted that an extension beyond this season may not be as lucrative for the striker, but that he could be worth his weight in gold in a coaching role.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “Steven will know more than anybody in terms of his influence around the dressing room.
“It could be like having another coach, and that could be a reason alone to give him an extended contract. An extended contract may not be as lucrative, but he seems to want to stay and savour the beautiful moments there.”
Desperate.
Having not featured since December, it would have been very easy for Defoe to struggle at first against Cove, but he was electric from the off.
After the game finished, the striker admitted that he would love to stick at Ibrox to be able to feature in front of the fans, hopefully, next season after this pandemic.
The ball was firmly placed in the court of Rangers and Steven Gerrard, and it will be up to them to decide if Defoe is worth keeping.
There are many at Ibrox who still have things to learn, and imagine the likes of Cedric Itten with the help of Defoe every single day in training from a coaching perspective; danger.
We certainly aren’t against this deal, and believe it could be smart business.
In other Rangers news, Derek McInnes and Ally McCoist blown away by one ‘Invaluable’ Bears player after big win against Cove on Sunday