On Thursday, Jermain Defoe confirmed in an interview with Sky Sports that he wants to stay at Rangers next season.
The veteran striker, who turned 37 earlier this week, is currently only on loan at Ibrox.
Defoe celebrates scoring against Hibs at Ibrox last season. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
However, his contract with parent club AFC Bournemouth expires in the summer, around the same time his Gers stint is set to end.
“I want to stay. It’s a special football club – you feel it,” Defoe told Sky Sports.
So far this season, the frontman has been in a fantastic vein of form.
He has 12 goals in 14 appearances [Soccerbase], with two league hat-tricks helping him to the top of the Scottish Premiership scoring charts [BBC Sport].
Rangers fans call for club to sign Defoe
At this stage in his career, Defoe is content with not playing every week. Usually, he’s left on the bench before getting a cameo towards the end, and occasionally, he is handed a start.
The England international is happy with his role at Rangers. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
His willingness to play that role and the results he’s producing on the pitch make him the perfect foil for Alfredo Morelos.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising that plenty of Bears are calling on the club to snap him up when the time comes, despite his advancing age.
Here’s a selection of reaction to his comments from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gordong1992/status/1182306830028038144
💉💉💉 that right into my veins 💙
— Steven Mcewan (@StevenWATP1872) October 10, 2019
@RangersFC Get it done!
— Gentleman Jack (@gentlemanjack72) October 10, 2019
Keep him till he retires then get him coaching all the young strikers coming through at the club, not only is he a great striker, but he’s a top professional and you can see the affect he’s had on morelos already nevermind what he could teach the youths
— Jimbeam1872 (@jimbeamjunior) October 10, 2019
Stay as long as you want lad🔵👃🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/etZzCLFVLY
— Big Bear (@Adam11211) October 11, 2019
Get him signed up @RangersFC – top lad 👏👏👏
— Thom Beard (@Thom_Beard) October 11, 2019
And to think I said signing him and Davis was a step backwards, thank God Mr Gerard is the manager and not me!
— Sandy (@a1eq1) October 10, 2019
This is the guys you want in the team play for the badge and at this moment in time we have a full squad playing for the badge. In Gerrard we trust
— John (@Johnnynoodles) October 10, 2019
Get him signed 💙💙💙
— MY girl 😈💙 (@madmarj3003) October 10, 2019
@RangersFC sign him up!
— Tom McVey (@tmcvey077) October 10, 2019
We want you to stay aswell 🇬🇧🇬🇧👌👏
— Steven Ritchie (@StevenR60775496) October 10, 2019
Yes please😍
— Ross McLean (@rossco2606) October 10, 2019