Former England striker Les Ferdinand thinks Jermain Defoe’s new player/coach role at Rangers is a ‘very good move’ for both player and club and is confident it can be a huge boost for the next generation of Ibrox strikers.
Defo will now combine playing with a role on the coaching staff at Ibrox as the veteran winds down his on-pitch career after winning his first-ever league title last season.
Ferdinand, now director of football at QPR, thinks learning from someone like Defoe will really help the young strikers at Rangers after a career spent at the top level.
“This is a very good move for Jermain and for Rangers,” Ferdinand said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“The biggest learning curve for me was learning off my peers. So to have one as your coach is going to be such a positive step for those Rangers forwards.
“As a player you look at him and think that he’s been there, done it, played at the highest level — done all the things that perhaps I want to achieve.
“You’ll have strikers in that mould or who would look on Jermain as someone to follow, model themselves on.
“Jermain has picked up so much knowledge from his football journey. Everywhere he’s gone he’s been a success. His experience is vast. If you can impart that knowledge to a future generation of Rangers strikers it can only be a massive benefit to everyone.”
Rangers stint seems to heave really boosted Defoe
Since initially arriving at Rangers on loan, Defoe has rolled back the years and been in excellent for for the Gers.
Despite his advancing years, the former England international can still offer something as a player for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side so it’s good to see him sticking around.
Getting experience as a coach will be vital as he nears retirement as a player and he won’t find many situations where there is more pressure to succeed than as part of the Rangers coaching team.
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