Derek Johnstone hails Steven Gerrard’s reported pursuit of Jermain Defoe

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Rangers are reportedly looking to lure Jermain Defoe to Ibrox this summer.

Rangers legend Derek Johnstone has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thinks Jermain Defoe would be a ‘sensational’ signing for the club this summer.

The Gers are set for an exciting summer having appointed Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard as their new manager, with two players already signed up for next season.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and midfielder Scott Arfield have already arrived, but after a disappointing season, many more signings are expected to arrive at Ibrox.

Gerrard’s big-name standing means that a host of ambitious targets could be pursued, and The Scottish Sun reported last week that Rangers now want Bournemouth hitman Jermain Defoe and Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva.

Gerrard and Defoe played together for England, and their relationship may just give Rangers a chance to land a deal they otherwise would struggle to complete.

Defoe, 35, joined Bournemouth last summer having hit 37 goals in 93 games for Sunderland, but he struggled this term with just four goals in 23 Premier League appearances.

A proven goalscorer over the course of his career, Defoe could head to Rangers on loan this summer, and Gers legend Derek Johnstone has offered his view on the speculation.

Johnstone has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he would love to see Defoe arrive as he would be a ‘sensational’ signing thanks to his goal record, and hailed the appointment of Gerrard as big-name players will continue to be linked with moves to Ibrox.

“Defoe would be a sensational signing,” said Johnstone. “Wherever he’s gone, he’s scored goals. Names like these are something the Rangers fans can look forward to for the rest of the summer. For a decade Rangers fans have had nothing to shout about. There’s not been an awful lot of hope but now there’s genuine feeling something is about to happen for the first time in a long time.”

“And when you hear some of the names it doesn’t surprise me because Rangers know what they have to do. They’ve been so far behind for most of that decade, they have to do something big and this is it. Only time will tell whether Gerrard is the right man but this is the biggest thing to happen to this club since Gazza, Laudrup and Souness arrived. That’s how big this is,” he added.