Jermain Defoe and his ultimate Rangers 'gift' as blessed striker sparked Alfredo Morelos rebirth

He arrived proclaiming he had been blessed with a gift from God.

But while Jermain Defoe never quite reached full-blown Messiah-status at Ibrox, it was his arrival which helped spark the second coming of Alfredo Morelos and the rebirth of a career threatening to stall under a flurry of red cards.

And for that, the Rangers support - and Morelos himself - should be giving thanks to the man who yesterday announced he’s retiring after a glittering, goal-laden 22-year career when they kneel down to say their prayers.

Steven Gerrard had justification enough in opting to lure his former England team-mate north on loan from Bournemouth back in January 2019.

Defoe has always been a prolific goal grabber and his name still sits ninth on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list.

But another key factor was the then Ibrox boss’s hope that some of the veteran’s professionalism would provide his Colombian firebrand frontman with a shining example of how to conduct himself on and off the park.

The fact the former England striker and Premier League legend was still practising what he preached at the age of 36, banging in goals while living his life the right way, ensured the message soon got through.

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