Mark Hateley watched Jermain Defoe yell at himself for missing a chance and realised he has to be offered a new deal at Rangers.
The former Ibrox hero hopes the high standards set by his English compatriot and his professionalism are kept inside the club.
Defoe is approaching the end of his career and, as yet, there has been no news of a fresh agreement or contract extension in Glasgow.
The 38-year-old is keen to keep going as he wants to finish his career playing in front of fans.
As far as Hateley is concerned, that should be at Ibrox as he believes the veteran striker still has much to offer.
The ex- Rangers star, who was still producing himself for Walter Smith’s Light Blues deep into his 30s, saw Defoe score his fifth goal in only 15 appearances this term against Cove on Sunday.
But he reckons it was the evidence on show after a subsequent missed chance in the game that tells you all you need to know.
Speaking on the Rangers Connection podcast, he said: “He was screaming at himself.
“After he scored his first goal, he then turned (for another chance) and missed the target.
“He was absolutely furious but that is how high the standards are set.
“It’s great when you have a player like that in the team, or in the dressing room or on the training ground. He’ll be like that in training. Cursing and throwing his hands in the air at missing the target.
“That resonates with all of the boys when they see that sort of standard being set.
“It’s great for me and I do hope he gets another year. He said he wants to play in front of a full Ibrox and he still has a lot to give.
“Not as a starter, maybe. Maybe some games, like League Cups, but just his presence around the club.
“The aura and his attitude, what he can pass on as a striker and his professionalism.”
While Defoe was on target once against Cove, he was outgunned by colleague Kemar Roofe who struck twice against the League One outfit.
Roofe’s impressive figures for the campaign are now 14 goals in 29 games and Hateley said: “That’s what you are looking for in all of your strikers. One [goal] in two. That’s a great return.
“But it’s the all-round game that he has. What sort of goals does he score? Headers, right foot, left foot, from the halfway line. He does everything and has great balance which makes him super strong. He uses his body.
“He’s not the biggest guy but is stronger than he looks.
“He’s a different build to Jermain, who is chunky and can turn people. He (Roofe) is one of those players if he can play, he’ll become better and better.
“He got his goal, his next goal and then he was desperate to get a third. I thought somebody had had a word with him at half-time and said you are getting to 60 minutes and then coming off because he missed two chances at the start of the second half and you could see what it meant to him.
“He’s been injured on and off in the past couple of years which have interrupted his performances at the clubs he has been at. We saw him at Leeds where he was outstanding but they are not the same sort of demands.
“You are now bringing him into a level which is his level. He has the ability to bring all sorts of players into games.
“He scores goals, creates goals and has a real edge to his game.”
Nathan Patterson was also on target against Cove, while Scott Wright shone in an attacking position.
Hateley has been impressed with both and said: “This season has been incredible for him [Patterson].
“He’s tasted the highs and the lows. Daftness and good performances on and off the pitch.
“He’s a young man who I saw as a real young lad in an Alkass Cup ripping Real Madrid youth team players to pieces. He has shown promise from a long time ago. This boy has so much more to give.
“He [Wright] has played internationals with the best at his levels all the way through.
“That would have been a great schooling and he’s an intelligent lad as well. He’s put weight on and he was knocking boys off the ball and has lightning pace. He looked impressive.”
Rangers’ win over Cove has set up a last-16 tie against Celtic and Hateley expects his old club to progress and stay on course for a Double.
He said: “I’m expecting a barren season for Celtic.
“I expect Rangers will step on the pedal again and go through. We want to remain unbeaten all season. This is what we are laying down and you can see it sinking in.
“We never allowed any mistakes against Cove.
“On the ball, high pressure and that is what you are going to get until the end of the season.”
