Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe admits it was Steven Gerrard's impassioned Liverpool comparison which convinced him on a switch to Ibrox.
The famed striker headed north in January 2019 on an initial six-month loan deal before spending a further two seasons in Glasgow, which culminated in title glory as the they denied rivals Celtic 10-In-A-Row during an undefeated league season. Defoe forged a crucial role as Alfredo Morelos' chief back-up – with the former England international netting an impressive 32 goals. And he has now revealed Gerrard's major sell secured his signature.
Speaking to The Players' Tribune : "I remember meeting Stevie and he said to me 'This is the nearest thing I've seen to Liverpool'. I went 'really?' He went 'It's a giant club. A sleeping giant. And I want to get it back to what it should be'. Straight away you realise you need to win because you think 'I don't want to leave here without ever winning anything.' When you walk down the tunnel on the right-hand side there's a list of players that have won stuff. League titles at Rangers.
"I think 'Imagine leaving here and your name's not on there!'"
The 39-year-old briefly joined Sunderland last season before he called time on his stellar playing career. And despite his exploits in the English Premier League, it's clear his time in Glasgow has left a telling impression on him. And he admits the race to 55 was the perfect season and he knew it was coming.
He added: "I knew from the first week of that pre-season we were going to win that league. I said to the manager that I'd noticed a different sort of focus. The gym was packed to the point that you needed a membership. The lads ticked every box. Every player. Before training, in the gym. After training, in the gym. Standards every day."
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