Adrian Durham issues thinly-veiled dig at Jermain Defoe after Rangers absence v St Mirren
Adrian Durham has issued a thinly-veiled dig at Rangers player-coach Jermain Defoe after his absence from Sunday’s 2-1 win at St Mirren.
Defoe, 39, signed a new contract at Ibrox during the summer to extend his stay in Glasgow to another season, but with the alteration that he is to divide his time between playing and coaching the first team.
The ex-England international has been busier with the latter during the 2021/22 campaign as he has made just one appearance as a player this season, a brief cameo in the 1-0 loss at Dundee United on August 7.
There have been reasons for that; the arrival of Fashion Sakala has seen Defoe drop down in the pecking order while injuries and covid have also contributed to his absence from matchday squads.
However, his appearance at Old Trafford on Sunday, on punditry duties for Sky Sports during Manchester United’s clash against Liverpool, raised some eyebrows, as he missed Rangers’ Premiership victory.
While showering Alfredo Morelos with praise after he scored his 100th Gers goal on Sunday, talkSPORT host Durham appeared to take a dig at Defoe.
“In the meantime, Jermain Defoe was on telly wasn’t he,” Durham said.
Much ado about nothing?
Opinion appears to be split about Defoe’s non-appearance at Paisley Park on Sunday.
On the one hand, some have suggested that it was a minor footnote during a crucial victory for the Gers, with Defoe a peripheral member of the playing squad this season, and not a senior member of the coaching staff.
However, others have taken issue with what they deem to be a blase attitude towards his responsibilities at Rangers.
Defoe is still a well-paid member of the Rangers staff, and thus supporters are well within their rights to question his loyalty and whether he is earning his keep.
However, given the fact Steven Gerrard has obviously authorised his leave, should there be too much credence given to that argument?
In other Rangers news, Durham’s talkSPORT co-star believes this Ibrox star is destined to leave for the Premier League.