Jermain Defoe has suggested he has no plans to retire just yet and said “we’ll see what happens” regarding him staying at Rangers.
Defoe has taken a backseat role in his second full season at Ibrox, something he initiated.
But that has not stopped the recently-turned 38-year-old from feeling, in his words, “fit and sharp”.
And, with two goals and as many assists in his 217 minutes of football for the Rangers first-team this campaign, his assessment checks out.
Asked how many more seasons he has left in him, and whether he would ‘like another crack at Rangers’ after his contract expires next summer, Defoe told the club’s official Youtube channel on Friday: “I dunno. I’ve always just listened to my body, to be honest.
“I think it’s important to listen to your body and also be honest (and), especially, be around people that are going to be honest with you. I’ve got a good relationship with the manager (Steven Gerrard) and I sat down and spoke to the manager about, obviously, (not being included in) the Europa League squad and having that day off my legs so that he can get the best Jermain Defoe on a weekend, and I’m fresh and I’m sharp.
“To be honest, like I mentioned before, the two games that I’ve started, I feel really sharp. I don’t feel like I’ve had to adapt my game in any way.
“Obviously, over the years you change your game a little bit, but in terms of like massively changing my game and not being able to do the things I was doing maybe a few years ago, I don’t feel like I’m at that stage yet, which is good for me.
“And, touch wood, I don’t get any little niggles, any injuries, and we’ll see what happens. I feel fit and sharp and if I can continue scoring goals at this level then for me there’s no reason to stop yet.
On whether his body is telling him he cannot carry on, Defoe added: “Absolutely not. I don’t miss a training session. I do my stuff in the gym. I still feel fit.
“But, like I said, it’s about being honest. Once I get to that stage where I feel like I’m struggling and I can’t do this then, of course, there’s no point because I’ve had a long career. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been great, but at the minute I don’t feel like I’m 38. So hopefully, I dunno, we’ll see what happens.”
Defoe is expected to return to Rangers’ starting line up for the Scottish League Cup trip to Falkirk on Sunday.
Both Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos started Thursday’s Europa League draw with Benfica, with another striker Cedric Itten on the bench.
The trio have scored 14 goals between them this season.
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