Bearing the responsibility of scoring goals at Rangers isn’t for everyone.
The Ibrox side have had legions of great goal scorers over the years but for every Ally McCoist there’s an Egil Ostenstad or even a Sam Lammers.
The pressure of life at Rangers is immense all over the park but for the players who bear the responsibility of the Ibrox ‘number nine’, it’s often unbearable.
Heading into the new season Rangers need more from their frontline with an over-reliance on Cyriel Dessers eventually coming back to haunt the club last season.
But should fellow hitmen Danilo and Hamza Igamane need support, one former Rangers striker who bore the responsibility of scoring goals at Ibrox with class and dignity has just come available.
Jermain Defoe leaves Spurs
Things have got to be different in the Rangers forward line this season, even if things remain a tad uncertain.
Danilo is returning from injury and immediate expectations will be tempered.
Hamza Igamane might not be ready to start, but Kemar Roofe was barely available to play at all last season.
Rangers continue to be linked to strikers too, with the final third an area which many feel could use an extra addition.
Now, one of the forward’s who was part of the squad the last time Rangers lifted the title is officially looking for a new job.
It’s no coincidence that Rangers romped to 55 when they had four options in the number nine berth; Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe presenting an array of striking talents which shot the club to 55.
And it’s ex-Rangers striker Defoe – who worked his way into Ibrox hearts during a two-and-a-half year stint – who has just announced his exit from the coaching team at Spurs.
Striker ‘forced’ into Rangers coaching role
Jermain Defoe is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation.
Whilst we’re not expecting the ex-England international to pull his boots back on, Rangers could do with all the help they can get in the final third.
Defoe was clear that he felt ‘forced’ into a coaching role at Rangers back in 2022 and eventually quit the gig to keep playing with Sunderland down south.
But that stint with Spurs is undeniably different and marks Defoe’s official foray into the coaching world.
Having scored 32 goals for Rangers in 74 games, Jermain Defoe knows what it takes to play and win at Ibrox as well as the expectations of wearing the number nine jersey.
With Philippe Clement admitting he needs a helping hand heading into nex season, perhaps the ex-Gers hitman can assist in polish a stuttering frontline.
