Rangers TV pundit makes ‘unfinished business’ claim at Ibrox after Defoe reveal via Sky
Alan Hutton has suggested Jermain Defoe has “unfinished business” at Rangers after leaving Ibrox last week.
The former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the striker’s plans “fell apart” with the departure of Steven Gerrard.
Rangers confirmed Defoe had left the club last week (Wednesday, 12 January).
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Friday (14 January), the striker lifted the lid on his exit and the difficulty he faced with his player-coach role at Ibrox.
Hutton suggested the 39-year-old struggled with the balance between the two responsibilities.
“I listened to him on Sky Sports News and he spoke really well,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It did seem like he has a little bit of unfinished business at Ibrox as well, even though he did win the title last season.
“I think the next part of his career had been mapped out under Steven Gerrard in the coaching sense. So when he left, that kind of fell apart. The way he spoke, he didn’t really know if he was coming or going.
“Was he helping with the coaching still? Was he training full pace, was he going to be in squads? It was probably a little bit of a rollercoaster ride for him since the new manager came in.
“It’s probably good for him to break away from that and concentrate on what he’s going to do next.
“Van Bronckhorst probably had to make a difficult decision. He wants his own people there, so I totally understand his choice.
“That being said, you do lose somebody with a lot of experience he could hand down but he’s made the decision. You have to respect that.”
Defoe played just twice for Rangers this season.
He scored 32 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions for the Light Blues.
In other news, pundit claims Rangers already have “very young” Defoe replacement.