Jermain Defoe has spoken out on Barry Ferguson’s appointment at Rangers until the end of the 2024/25 season, with the former Gers skipper succeeding Philippe Clement, who was relieved of his duties after a dismal campaign to date.
Celtic are the runaway leaders in the Scottish Premiership this season, and Rangers haven’t been anywhere near good enough to challenge for the title.
One player that left Rangers with plenty of positives was Jermain Defoe, who played his part in the club’s title-winning season in the 2020/21 campaign. The former England international netted seven goals in 20 appearances for the Scottish giants.
In an interview with MyBettingSites’ Jacob Potter courtesy of bet365’s new Sub On Play On product , Defoe outlined the expectations that are set for the players at Rangers, and felt as though Ferguson’s experience with the club will prove useful as a manager.
“When you play for that football club, and you’re there, if you’re not a winner, you go there and become a winner, because it’s all about winning there. Nothing else matters, you have to win. You can’t come second. If you come second, you might as well come last.
“He’s (Ferguson) a legend at the club. He’s won numerous titles and trophies at the club. The fans love him and I can imagine, even though it’s to the end of the season, but then if he does well, then maybe he’ll get it on a permanent basis. It helps as he knows the club. He’s played for the club. I think that helps. He loves the football club.”
Rangers are currently second in the Scottish Premiership, but find themselves 16 points adrift of league-leaders Celtic, in what has been a frustrating season on the whole. Defoe labelled their campaign this year as ‘disappointing’, which is a statement that the majority of the club’s supporters will agree with.
“It’s been disappointing. It’s been hard to watch because obviously when I was there, we won the league. When I left, Stevie (Gerrard) left, and Geo came in, and came so close in the Europa League final.
“After that I thought, ‘do you know what, it’s okay, because the club would then kick on and dominate in terms of the league and bring in more players because we had done so well’.“
Defoe felt as though the club has gone in the wrong direction recently, but also admitted that the players have to take some responsibility for the dismal showings of late.
“It just feels as though the club has gone backwards. Obviously with Clement, it was inevitable when you’re not winning games. When you lose to St Mirren at home in that manner, I just knew then his days were numbered.
“Of course it’s not nice when you see managers leaving but he (Clement) probably knew. The players also have to take responsibility because you’re playing for Rangers. When you put that shirt on, you have to perform. It’s as simple as that. It’s just different up there.”
