Jermain Defoe has spoken about the management of his workload, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times.
The 36-year-old striker scored a perfect hat-trick against Hibs at Ibrox on Sunday, doing the initial damage as the Gers swept away the Edinburgh outfit 6-1.
It was his first appearance since the away leg of the Europa League Second Round Qualifier against Progres Niederkorn, but he views his lack of action in the previous two fixtures against Kilmarnock and Midtyjlland as a positive.
“I felt sharp right from the beginning,” said Defoe, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times. “There’s going to be a lot of games so we’re going to need everyone if we’re going to have a good year.”
“Would I be disappointed not to start the next game? Maybe when I was younger.
“Of course you want to play as many games as you can but the manager is smart enough to know the senior lads – and I don’t say older lads – have to be managed. It’s important so you can put in those performances.”
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Defoe was outstanding against Hibernian, showing his razor-sharp goalscoring instincts are still very much with him as he approaches 37.
Yet, judging by these comments, he’s aware both of his body’s limitations and of the calibre of competition he’s up against.
Premiership Tartan Ball winner from last season, Alfredo Morelos, is too good to sit on the bench for an extended period. Therefore, despite Defoe’s hat-trick, he’s likely to return to the starting XI for Thursday night.
Having made a massive impact this weekend, Defoe can give himself a pat on the back and return to his previous role of substitute.
While Stevie G may be mulling over the idea of bringing in another forward [The Scotsman], he’s lucky to have two excellent options right now.
If they stay injury-free and he’s able to manage them well, the Gers should have fresh legs up top in each game, despite the amount of fixtures which lie in wait. Given the level of creative talent the Light Blues now have in wide areas, that’s a scary prospect for opposition defences.
