As Rangers romped to a 4-1 victory over Celtic there was plenty for supporters to be happy about but one moment in particular had fans “delighted” for a veteran Ibrox star.
Jermain Defoe might be approaching 39 but when given the opportunity this season the lethal poacher has showed that he’s still got that same old knack for finding the back of the net.
Kemar Roofe made way for the forward late on in the second half and Jermain was not missing an opportunity to grab an Old Firm goal at Ibrox.
The striker had been played through just moments before the goal but was undeterred to roll into position and onto an Ianis Hagi pass and begin to bear down on goal.
Showing a sharp turn of pace Defoe pulled the ball wide before twisting, turning, feigning and ultimately sitting Celtic defender Stephen Welsh on his behind before rolling it past Scott Bain.
It was a goal out the top drawer and showed that Jermain still has it to net at this level with the player’s future up in the air ahead of next season.
Should Jermain want to extend his career he needs to play, and game-time has been at a premium at Ibrox in this campaign, even if the striker has contributed.
This goal was his sixth of the season and 31st at Ibrox in total but this goal in particular meant the world to the striker – something you could clearly see in his celebration.
“I said to Greggsy after the game it had been eating me up!” said Defoe [Rangers].
“When you come to a club like this it’s the first fixture you look at and as a striker you just want to score in that game.
“The main thing is to win of course. But if you can win and score, it’s always something I’ve wanted to do from when I first walked in to the club.
“This is the game I’ve wanted to score in.
“It was an unbelievable feeling. It’s so special.
“The team performance was amazing.”
Defoe is a hugely popular player at Ibrox and this consummate professional earned the plaudits of the Ibrox supporters in the aftermath of the game:
https://twitter.com/B4ZZ_B0W5K1/status/1388838427378991108
https://twitter.com/Annie_bear1872/status/1388872761901203460
https://twitter.com/RangersRiver2/status/1388839814678597634
https://twitter.com/Pena_Cartel/status/1388930409401040899
https://twitter.com/Arfieldloyal37/status/1388839073796788226
https://twitter.com/Darrennnnn10/status/1388837879011545090
Rangers trounced Old Firm rivals Celtic 4-1 courtesy of a Kemar Roofe double, a powerful Alfredo Morelos effort and a late goal by Jermain Defoe.
The result was also the perfect opportunity for another Ibrox star to answer his critics with a Man of the Match performance in the game.
