Latest news with #Defoe
Wales Online
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
'Lucky' Russell Martin gets Rangers warning as former Swansea boss lands new job
'Lucky' Russell Martin gets Rangers warning as former Swansea boss lands new job Ex-Rangers star Jermain Defoe has issued a telling warning to the man who will be tasked with filling the Ibrox hotseat, former Swansea manager Russell Martin Former Swansea boss Russell Martin is the new head coach of Rangers (Image: SNS Group ) Jermain Defoe has acknowledged that any coach taking the reins at Rangers is "lucky", but he was quick to point out the tremendous pressure that ex-Swansea City boss Russell Martin will now be under. After Barry Ferguson temporarily took the helm following Philippe Clement's departure in February, Martin, who helped guide The Swans to 15th and 10th-placed Championship finishes during his two seasons at The Stadium, has now been installed in Glasgow. The 39-year-old, acquainted with Ibrox from a rather forgettable loan spell a decade ago, faces the challenge of reclaiming league title glory after a season that left fans disheartened. Defoe, whose tenure with Rangers culminated in securing their illustrious 55th Scottish Premiership title, reflected on the responsibilities associated with managing at Ibrox. He highlighted the privilege linked to the managerial post, but also cautioned that anything less than outstripping Celtic is tantamount to failure. "It is a huge football club, and whoever gets that job, you know, they're a lucky manager," Defoe commented, via the Record, before the appointment of Martin. "I was in a team where we won... it was 55 league titles. "It was the special one, really. The one that the fans were craving - stop Celtic from doing 10 in a row, that sort of stuff. But to have that experience. It was amazing. I still keep in contact with a lot of the people there at the club. Article continues below "Of course, when we won the league, with Steven [Gerrard] the squad that we had. And obviously, I left and Calvin Bassey left. And everyone sort of left and Gio [Giovanni van Bronckhorst] came in - so close to winning the European trophy (Europa League). "But then you just thought that the club would sort of kick on from then and sort of just dominate and go on and win the league every year. And it's just not happened. It's been frustrating to sit back and see. Defoe won the Scottish Premiership under Steven Gerrard (Image: PA ) "And even more recently, the gap between us and Celtic at the minute. The manager has lost his job, which is part and parcel now. "Especially at a club like that, where it's just all about winning. That's the sort of mentality up there. The sort of like demand, the pressure that you get from the board and the fans. You have to win. You know, if you come second, you might as well come last." Celtic have clinched the last four Scottish league titles, with Defoe's Gers being the team that stopped the prior run from reaching 10 consecutive wins. Thus, the former England striker reminisces positively about his tenure at Ibrox. "I love that club," continued Defoe. "I mean, I can sit here for hours and talk about that club, with what I experienced there. Obviously, when I got linked with Rangers, of course I knew that it was a big club. "From a young kid watching Ally McCoist, who I've come across in media now, one of the nicest guys, humble, iconic figure at the football club, Graeme Souness, again, when he was on Sky. So I always knew it was a big club. "But when you go, you have to go and actually experience it. And even when you walk into Ibrox, you can feel the history. It's weird. You have to experience it. Article continues below "And you walk down the tunnel, you're reminded of the players that have been there and won trophies. And you just want to be amongst those players." Martin will now look to get his managerial career back on track after the disappointing end to his 17-month Southampton spell. He guided the Saints to Premier League promotion via the play-offs after leaving Swansea amid controversial circumstances, but just one win in his first 16 top-flight games saw him sacked.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jermain Defoe's message for 'lucky' Russell Martin with Rangers warning issued
EXCLUSIVE: Russell Martin will be the man to carry Rangers forward for the foreseeable future, but the club's former striker and 55th title-winner, Jermain Defoe, has issued a warning Jermain Defoe admits that any coach who manages Rangers is "lucky," but warns the newly-appointed Russell Martin that the job comes with unfathomable pressure. After Barry Ferguson 's temporary spell in charge following Philippe Clement being shown the exit door in February, former Southampton, Swansea and MK Dons boss Martin will now lead Gers into the future. The 39-year-old is familiar with Ibrox's surroundings, having endured a lacklustre loan spell there a decade ago, but returns under vastly different circumstances, expected to fight for a league title on the back of a bitterly disappointing season. Defoe, whose two-year stint in Glasgow was marked by winning Rangers' 55th and most recent Scottish Premiership crown, has spoken on the managerial position at Ibrox. Speaking in March, he said that anyone who gets the job would be 'lucky' - though warns that coming second behind Celtic is the same as coming last. "It is a huge football club, and whoever gets that job, you know, they're a lucky manager," said Defoe, speaking courtesy of bet365's Sub On, Play On product, before Martin's arrival. "I was in a team where we won… it was 55 league titles. It was the special one, really. The one that the fans were craving - stop Celtic from doing 10 in a row, that sort of stuff. But to have that experience. It was amazing. I still keep in contact with a lot of the people there at the club. "Of course, when we won the league, with Steven [Gerrard] the squad that we had. And obviously, I left and Calvin Bassey left. And everyone sort of left and Gio [Giovanni van Bronckhorst] came in - so close to winning the European trophy. "But then you just thought that the club would sort of kick on from then and sort of just dominate and go on and win the league every year. And it's just not happened. It's been frustrating to sit back and see. "And even more recently, the gap between us and Celtic at the minute. The manager [Clement] has lost his job, which is part and parcel now. Especially at a club like that, where it's just all about winning. That's the sort of mentality up there. The sort of like demand, the pressure that you get from the board and the fans. You have to win. You know, if you come second, you might as well come last." Celtic have won the last four Scottish league titles, with Defoe's Gers team the ones who prevented the previous streak being extended to ten-in-a-row. The former England striker therefore looks back on his time at Ibrox fondly. "I love that club," continued Defoe. "I mean, I can sit here for hours and talk about that club, with what I experienced there. Obviously, when I got linked with Rangers, of course I knew that it was a big club. "From a young kid watching Ali McCoist, who I've come across in media now, one of the nicest guys, humble, iconic figure at the football club, Graeme Souness, again, when he was on Sky. So I always knew it was a big club. "But when you go, you have to go and actually experience it. And even when you walk into Ibrox, you can feel the history. It's weird. You have to experience it. "And you walk down the tunnel, you're reminded of the players that have been there and won trophies. And you just want to be amongst those players."
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Rangers cult hero banned from driving for FOURTH time – after FIFTH offence behind the wheel
He narrowly avoided a ban on his third visit to court for a driving-related incident CAR CRAZY Rangers cult hero banned from driving for FOURTH time – after FIFTH offence behind the wheel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Rangers star Jermain Defoe has been banned from driving after being caught speeding for a FOURTH time. The 42-year-old was also slapped with a fine and had points added to his licence. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Jermain Defoe during his time at Rangers Credit: The Sun 2 The ex-footie star has been banned from driving for a year Credit: Alamy Defoe was caught doing 82mph in a 70mph zone last October and on't be able to get behind the wheel for a year. A Premier League icon, Defoe played 57 times for England and starred for Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Sunderland during his career. After starting his professional career with West Ham, Defoe established himself as a prolific goal scorer and won a move to Spurs in 2004 for £6million. A court heard that Defoe was clocked speeding in his Land Rover in Wormley, Hertforshire, His barrister said the former striker deserved credit for pleading guilty. Defoe, who did not appear in court, was fined £660 plus £90 costs and a £266 victim surcharge. He also got three points to add to the nine already on his licence. Defoe has a list of previous instances of speeding. In January 2010 he admitted to driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone in Portsmouth in May 2008 and was given an additional four points on his license. At the time he admitted that speeding offence, Defoe had already been disqualified from driving for six months for other speeding crimes. SUN Jermain Defoe's Mysterious Encounter in Car Park His other driving offences were four points for speeding on October 4 2008 and six points for speeding on April 18 2009. The footie ace ended up in court again in October 2010 after being caught with a phone behind the wheel while driving in Loughton. He was handed three points - narrowly avoiding another ban - and fined £800. Defoe was then hit with his third six-month ban two years ago when he was clocked doing 56mph in a 30mph zone in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire in December 2020. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ex-England footie star, 42, banned from driving for speeding for FOURTH time
Scroll down for more on the footballer's previous bans dating back to 2008 ACE'S ROAD BAN Ex-England footie star, 42, banned from driving for speeding for FOURTH time Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER England striker Jermain Defoe has been hit with a fourth driving ban for speeding. The ex-Premier League star, 42, was barred for a year after being clocked at 82mph in a 70mph zone last October. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Former England star Jermaine Defoe was barred from driving for a year after being clocked at 82mph in a 70mph zone last October Credit: Getty 2 The former Spurs and Sunderland striker was fined £660 plus £90 costs and a £266 victim surcharge Credit: Alamy Defoe, who played 57 times for England, was driving a Land Rover in Wormley, Herts, JPs in St Albans were told. His barrister said the ex-Spurs ace deserved credit for pleading guilty. Defoe, who was not in court, was fined £660 plus £90 costs and a £266 victim surcharge. He also got three points to add to the nine already on his licence. Defoe was previously banned from the road for six months in July 2008 for speeding. He received another six-month ban for the same offence the following year. He later admitted driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone in Portsmouth in May 2008. He was given an additional four points on his license. The star ended up in court again in October 2010 after being caught with a phone behind the wheel while driving in Loughton. He was handed three points - narrowly avoiding another ban - and fined £800. Defoe was then slapped with his third six-month ban two years ago when he was clocked doing 56mph in a 30mph zone in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire in December 2020.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Defoe names 'unbelievable' Tottenham wonderkid as five gems tipped for stardom
Jermain Defoe claims former club Tottenham need to exploit some of the irresistible talent currently embedded within their academy ranks Jermain Defoe has urged former club Tottenham to unleash five exciting youth talents. The 42-year-old, who left his Spurs academy coaching role last summer, believes there are a number of prospects that have what it takes to break into Ange Postecoglou's side next season. He said: "I was so lucky when I was coming through at West Ham in the academy, Harry [Redknapp] was bringing players through and developing them. But Spurs have got Mikey Moore, Damola Ajayi who recently played in the Europa League and scored [vs Elfsborg], and there's another kid called Tyrese Hall. "He has so much potential, he's unbelievable and is one of the best I've seen. In my two years at Tottenham, all of the teams that we played against around the country, he was definitely one of the best, in fact, he's a Premier League footballer. "You've got Callum Olusesi who has been in and around the first-team, on the bench, and Will Lankshear so there are so many players in the academy that next season, they should be looking to break through. Hopefully the club will give them an opportunity." Former England striker Defoe was speaking to Sunday Mirror off the back of the recent Emirates 5s, a 5-a-side tournament created to celebrate the airline's sponsorship of the Emirates FA Cup. Held at St. George's Park, four legends – Defoe, Shola Ameobi, Ben Foster, and Shaun Wright-Phillips each captained a team starring influencers, non-league players and individuals making a positive change in their local communities as they represented Emirates flight hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle and battled it out on the pitch to be crowned champions. He was delighted to return to the pitch after calling time on his playing career back in 2022, explaining: "It's such a good concept and was nice to get my boots on again but it's never friendly once the whistle goes! "It was nice to get the phone call, I've not seen Shola for years and of course, I'm friends with Shaun and Ben Foster is always in and around London so it was nice to see the boys again. "I was surprised by the pitch side, when the pitch is smaller sometimes you think it's less running but it was man-for-man. I thought we were unlucky, it was just a semi-final and a final but when we got knocked out, I saw Newcastle play and I knew they'd win it. "I respect anyone that goes out there and plays football because it's pressure, I remember when I first started coming through, I played for my district and Sunday League team but it was just nice to be amongst it and amongst the players that play Non-League but we still have the same love for the game. It means a lot to me."
