After the rain comes the sunshine.
Rangers fans may have been operating under a cloud these last seven years, but Jermain Defoe is convinced brighter days are just around the corner.
The former England frontman has committed his future to the club, even with two release clauses next season in his loan contract from parent club Bournemouth.
Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard has spoken of his delight, recognising the value of his international team-mate on and off the field.
Defoe, 36, is strictly teetotal but is determined to deliver the champagne days he reckons Rangers fans deserve for the backing of their club through its darkest years.
He said: “Before the game against Hearts we turned up at the ground to get on the bus and all the fans were there. It was raining but they were there to get autographs.
“I remember saying to one of the players, ‘It’s unbelievable. Can you imagine what it would be like if we could actually win the league?’ It is an incredible support and something that surprised me, to be honest.
“We are lucky as players to have that backing. Why would you not want to be a part of that? We want to finish the season strongly and then look ahead to the next one.
“I love coming into training everyday, even at my age. The boys are great. This is a massive club and I’ve already said I wouldn’t want to be in another dressing room.
Steven Gerrard accepts ban after Rangers boss is charged for comments made to Bobby Madden
“We have some unbelievable players and I actually didn’t realise we had so many internationals until the last break.
“I always knew about the history of Rangers, but you don’t actually appreciate how big the club is until you experience it for yourself.
“The demands and the pressure are always there. You need to win every game and I love that. As players, that’s what you want. I thrive on it. In every game you want that fire in your belly.”
Defoe has been a bit part performer since arriving on loan earlier this year and there are break clauses in his loan deal in the summer and January, reflecting the reality the bulk of his salary is still being picked up by the Premier League club.
The form of Alfredo Morelos has left him cooling his heels on the bench but six goals from seven starts, including the opener against the Jambos, underlines he still has the potential to be prolific in the veteran stages of his career.
Defoe added: “I go into every game believing I can score. I still have that edge, but I want the team to play well and win. To score is a bonus because, as forwards, that’s what you’re judged on.
“It has been difficult, but you will always get moments when you are playing every game and then you find yourself out of the team.
Jermain Defoe urges Rangers hothead Alfredo Morelos to follow Wayne Rooney example
“But you keep your head down and you stay positive. I always train hard because you need to make sure you are ready when you’re called upon.
“I don’t need to knock on the manager’s door. Maybe I would have done that when I was younger but now I wait for my chance and I don’t get too emotional because you need to be ready.
“For me, joining Rangers has been good. I’ve had the opportunity to play against teams I have never played before – and to play against the top teams like Celtic and the others.
“It was important for me to have this experience and I don’t think we are too far off. I don’t think we are too far off at all.
“If you look at the Celtic game — and I know it’s gone – then we controlled part of the game with 10 men. Credit to the boys and that should give us confidence going into next season and I want to be a part of that.”
Gerrard may have looked the part in a legends game for Liverpool last month, but he recently admitted at the age of 38 his hips no longer move the same way they did when he was in his playing pomp.
Defoe may be only two years his junior, but his manager has paid tribute to the fitness regime that will allow the former Spurs star to play a more significant role next season, even if he can’t manage 40 games in a campaign.
Gerrard said: “You are looking at a body that is defying the odds. Jermain has a young body and has never had a sip of alcohol in his life.
“He is an educated player. He loves the game and you can speak to him around the clock about football. That tells you how he lives his life.
“He has been impeccable around the training ground since he walked in. After training sessions, he is pulling Josh McPake and young Dapo Mebude and doing an extra 10 or 15 minutes with them from a coaching side.
“He is not being asked to do that. He actually wants to give back to these young, up and coming strikers.
“That is gold-dust for us as a staff to have players like Jermain and Gareth McAuley around. His standards are at Rangers-level and that’s another reason we wanted to bring him in.
“There are a lot of reasons why he maybe hasn’t had as much game time. Obviously, when Alfredo is scoring freely it is difficult because I do favour playing with the one up there.
“But moving forward, if I get the right people around Jermain, he can do that job as a single number nine. Against Hearts, we didn’t play with wide men that might leave him isolated.
“Other players maybe have to adapt when Jermain is in the team and we maybe have to tweak our style, because he is different to Alfredo and Laff.
“But I have no doubt that if he shows what he did the other night then there will be more opportunities for him.”
