Jermain Defoe has paid tribute to Rangers fans and insists he feels fortunate to play in front of a 'special' set of supporters.
The English striker has been a huge hit at Ibrox on a 18-month loan from Bournemouth with the veteran talisman notching 14 goals this season.
His short-term deal runs out in the summer but Steven Gerrard is desperate to sign him on a permanent basis.
Defoe was a guest on BT Sport's 'What I Wore' where he took a trip down memory lane for all the teams he's played for including the likes of West Ham, Spurs, and Sunderland .
And when he was asked how he's still getting it done at the age of 37, he said the Light Blues faithful have played an integral part in his longevity.
He said: "I don't know. I've actually got a group chat and some of the boys are like 'JD, how do yo do it' and I dunno.
"For me, it's getting the opportunity at the back end of my career to play for another massive football club.
"The fans are... you know they say 'we are the people' and I believe in that.
"That sort of love from the fans towards the end of your career is really special."
Gerrard praised the impact of Defoe at the weekend insisting it's disrespectful to claim he’s just a back up to Alfredo Morelos.
He said: "Jermain Defoe is no understudy, that’s disrespectful. We don’t see him as an understudy, we see him as a really valuable member and asset in the squad.
“We can’t be successful this season without Jermain. We can’t be successful without Alfredo.
“We need good players in every occasion, I’ve said it many times.
“We don’t play with two number nines unless we are trying to force something or we’re trying to get more goals on the pitch. They are both as important as each other.”
