Ex-Tottenham Striker Defoe Heaps Praise On “Top Manager” Steven Gerrard.

• Defoe says his former international team-mate reminds him of Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce.

• Defoe backs ex-Liverpool midfielder Gerrard to go all the way to the top in his management career.

Defoe hails Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. [Getty]

The former England and Liverpool captain has impressed at the Ibrox.

Jermain Defoe has backed Rangers boss Steven Gerrard to become a “top, top, top manager”.

The former England striker moved to Ibrox on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth in the 2019 January transfer window, and he is on the verge of securing a permanent contract with the Gers this summer.

Liverpool legend Gerrard has been impressive since he became Rangers manager in 2018, making them a more competitive team, and also led the Scottish club into the last 16 of the Europa League this season.

However, Defoe has been delighted to work with the ex-Liverpool midfielder, saying he has all the attributes to be a world class football manager.

“I have to give a shout out to my current manager, Mr Gerrard. He’s going to be a top, top, top manager,” Defoe, who won 57 England caps, told talkSPORT.

“It’s a funny one because when I signed for Rangers, obviously you have a bit of banter in the changing room and the lads saying about how I’m pals with the gaffer and stuff like that, but he’s a natural.

“In terms of management he’s still fresh and he’s new but you can see that naturally he’s got everything.

“He always says to the players, ‘if you want to come speak to me about anything then my door is open’

“He’s approachable, which is really important as a manager. Sometimes there’s stuff you want to talk about and you might have personal problems and you might have stuff you want to talk about but feel uncomfortable going to the manager.

“But with Steven, you can talk to him about anything. He reminds me a little bit of Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce where you can just approach them and speak about anything.”

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