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Jermain Defoe focusing on playing side of Rangers' pre-season

Jermain Defoe focusing on playing side of Rangers' pre-season
© Reuters
The 38-year-old has signed a one-year deal as a player-coach.

Jermain Defoe is concentrating on getting himself ready to play for Rangers before he begins his coaching role at the Ibrox club.

The 38-year-old last month signed a new one-year deal with the Scottish champions as a player-coach.

However, the striker's focus at present is on fitness for the season ahead.

Defoe, who helped Rangers to their 55th Premiership title win last season, told RangersTV: "So far it has been more as a player, focusing on pre-season and making sure I get a good pre-season and I am fit and ready to go.

"In terms of the coaching side of it, at some point I will get introduced, the manager has said, and maybe have the red kit on!

"I am really looking forward to it. It is something we spoke about over the summer, myself, the manager, the staff and Ross (Wilson, sporting director), and when the opportunity came to me, it was an easy decision.

"To do something like this at a club like this is so special. When I came back in, the staff said to me to concentrate on being a player and not to focus too much on the other side – just focus on being a player.

"I have started my badges, which I will hopefully finish soon, and getting this experience learning from the manager, Mick (Beale), Gary (McAllister) and all of the staff involved.

"I would love the opportunity to go over to the other side and do a bit with the younger lads as well – that next generation which would be good and give me a good feeling, so I am looking forward to that as well."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic330087285987
2RangersRangers320179275281
3Hearts311149371266
4Kilmarnock31114538755
5St Mirren31024247-546
6Dundee30034662-1641
Relegation Group
1Motherwell32015554143
2Hibernian21014854-642
3Aberdeen22003749-1241
4Ross County31023564-2933
5St Johnstone30032652-2631
RLivingston32012764-3724
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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