Rangers were held to a goalless draw at home to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
BBC Sport pundit James McFadden has critically stated that Jermain Defoe has failed to be ‘an out ball’ for Rangers since his arrival in January and he was a ‘big reason’ behind their struggle against St Johnstone on Saturday.
Steven Gerrard’s side were held to a goalless draw on home soil, with Defoe starting up front in the absence of the suspended Alfredo Morelos.
Throughout the match, they struggled to create any real cut chances or test opposition goalkeeper Cammy Bell, who had only one shot to save throughout the 90 minutes.
Nonetheless, former Premiership striker McFadden explained why the Gers missed Morelos and compared him with his striker counterpart.
“I know Jermain Defoe has had a fantastic career, [but] I still think they miss Morelos,” McFadden told BBC Sportscene. “He [Morelos] has a bit of everything. He can occupy defences. He creates chances. He gets goals.
“But he is an out ball for them, something Defoe hasn’t been so far, so I think that’s a big reason as to why they are struggling.”
The dropped points against St Johnstone wasn’t helpful to Rangers’ Premiership title hopes because they are currently five points behind leaders Celtic in the table.
The Bhoys, who were beaten in the first leg of their Europa League knockout encounter against Valencia on Thursday, travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Nonetheless, since Defoe moved from the Premier League to the Scottish Premiership last month, the Rangers ace has played five league matches, scoring three goals and supplying two assists for his teammates, according to transfermarkt.
But it has been Morelos who has been Gerrard’s main man up front during this campaign. In his 23 league matches, he has scored 15 goals and supplied seven assists for the club, according to transfermarkt.
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