They are fighting for the same place in the Rangers team but Jermain Defoe insists he and Alfredo Morelos share the same common goal.
It doesn’t matter that they’re rarely on the pitch together. It’s irrelevant that there’s a language barrier that is taking time to be hurdled.
Both men want simply the best for their club and Morelos’ goal celebration against Livingston last week – running to Defoe on the touchline – and the Colombian’s applauding of the Englishman’s double at Perth on Sunday provided proof the duo are backing each other to the hilt.
Defoe’s double took his season’s tally to eight and with Morelos having a dozen to his name already, their scoring prowess has propelled Steven Gerrard’s men to second place in the league and motoring in the Europa League.
He believes Rangers now have such strength and depth that it must be a nightmare for Gerrard to try to pick his starting XI as he now has genuine quality for every position – including the striker’s role.
Defoe said: “It is not just me and Alfredo, it is the whole team. There were a few changes from midweek and, like I have said all season, when you get an opportunity you have to take it.
“That has always been the case at every club I have been at. When you get a chance, you have got to take it when there are other players who can come in and play well.
“It is good. It is probably a nightmare for the manager trying to pick a team but it’s good and it keeps us winning and that’s the most important thing.”
Defoe reckons the language of goals has helped him to forge a bond with Morelos, who scored the opener against at McDiarmid Park.
He said: “I said to him ‘when you score, make sure you run over to me’.
“In English, just like that and then he scored, celebrated and he turned round and ran over so I thought ‘oh’. He has been brilliant. It is difficult with the English but his English is improving. It was nice when he ran over.
“He is a fantastic player and when he plays he is going to score goals, like he showed last season. He will do the same this year.
“He is so strong and when defenders get that tight to him that is when he is at his best, when he can roll people.
“His link-up was good, he kept the ball every time. You need that, because you’ve got Connor (Goldson) screaming at you! He was good.”
It also helps that Rangers have real creativity this season. Joe Aribo once again shone against Saints and Defoe knows he will make, and take, chances for his side.
Brandon Barker also made his first start and Defoe thinks Rangers have a good balance with the likes of Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield all vying for the central positions.
He said: “Joe is brilliant and I thought Davo was unbelievable, Jacko again.
“Joe has been brilliant since he has come in, he is fantastic. He keeps the ball, he glides by people.
“With my second goal, I didn’t think he saw me but he played a clever pass through the defender’s legs. He is a fantastic talent.”
