Could Defoe hand Rangers advantage over Celtic in Josh Maja race?

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Glasgow Rangers are reportedly keen to bring Josh Maja to Ibrox.

It was reported by the Sunday People (20/1; page 49) over the weekend that Rangers have joined the race to sign Josh Maja as his contract runs down – which potentially sets up an interesting battle between the two Old Firm sides.

Maja has enjoyed a superb season with Sunderland, scoring 15 goals in League One. Unsurprisingly given his form and the fact that his contract expires in the summer, he is attracting a lot of attention.

The Sunday People (20/1; page 49) reported that Celtic were also keen on signing the 20-year-old, so it will be very interesting to see where Maja heads next, particularly if he decides to make a move to Glasgow.

With the Hoops’ current run of league titles yet to be interrupted, many may be expecting Maja to prefer a switch to Parkhead. But perhaps one piece of business that Rangers have done this month may give the Gers a fantastic chance of tempting the youngster to Ibrox.

Some may wonder whether Steven Gerrard landing Jermain Defoe on an 18-month loan could put Maja off a move, especially as Alfredo Morelos is also amongst the pecking order.

But perhaps, it could actually be the deal for Defoe that boost Rangers’ hopes.

Defoe was on Sunderland’s books when Maja was starting to come through the ranks, and Jack Ross said at the start of the season, in comments reported by the Chronicle, that the starlet still speaks incredibly highly of the Premier League legend more than a year after his departure from the Stadium of Light.

The chance to be reunited with his former mentor must be appealing to Maja at this stage of his career, and the terms of Defoe’s loan could work out perfectly as Maja could be taken under his wing once again for a year before being passed the baton when the 36-year-old moves on.

Now that Maja is playing regularly, his priority may well be to make the move that gives him the best chance of regular game-time immediately. But with Defoe in the ranks at Rangers, surely the Gers have a great opportunity to beat their rivals to his signature and pull off what would be a major coup.