‘special’ Moore Always Stood Out – Defoe

The Rise of Mikey Moore at Rangers FC

Rangers forward Jermain Defoe has highlighted the impact of Mikey Moore, who scored his third goal in Saturday’s Old Firm victory against Celtic. Moore, a loanee from Tottenham Hotspur, has played 24 times for the club since joining on a season-long deal. His performance has been particularly notable, with his goal in this match being described as his finest moment in light blue.

Defoe’s Guidance and Early Impressions

In an interview, Defoe shared insights into his role in bringing Moore to Rangers. “What a story that is,” Defoe said. “When I finished playing, I did two years in the academy under-18s. I think he was about 16. As soon as I saw him in training, I thought, ‘this kid’s got something special’.

And I just tried to work with him as much as possible.” Defoe elaborated on Moore’s early potential: “He was always the one that stood out for me. When we played games in under-18s, he was head and shoulders above all the other players that we played against.”

Moore’s Journey from Spurs to Ibrox

The journey of Mikey Moore is particularly noteworthy. He received guidance from Defoe during his time at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy. “He said, ‘I’ve got a chance to go to Rangers’,” Defoe recalled. “I said, ‘you’ve got to go, to get a chance to go and experience what I experienced there. Trust me, you’ll love it’.

It’s amazing to see him scoring in this game and I’ll text him in a bit. It’s special – he must be delighted because he’s just a young kid that just loves football.” Moore’s rapid rise at Rangers has been a testament to his talent and the mentorship provided by Defoe.

Rangers’ Struggle Turned Victory

The Old Firm victory against Celtic was not only significant for Mikey Moore but also for the entire Rangers team. After a dismal start under Russell Martin, Rangers are now level on points with their rivals. Defoe sees this as a turning point: “This win is a massive win because both clubs have had their struggles,” he said. “And now they’re both level on points. Rangers winning this game and how we won, this is huge.” The victory has brought renewed hope to the club and its supporters.

Teamwork and Fan Support

The team’s performance was not just about individual goals but also about collective effort. “The atmosphere can be intimidating for some lads,” Rangers centre-half John Souttar noted, “but we didn’t show it today. Everyone stood up and took the ball and aggression off the ball was massive.” The consistency of the Rangers squad under Danny Rohl has been key to their recent performance. “We have momentum, athleticism, speed and power and when we do that and press high and put them under pressure then we have a great chance to win,” Souttar added.

Looking Forward

The victory at Celtic Park has set the stage for Rangers’ future. “It is a special moment for everyone here, but we want to make sure there are more of these in the months and years to come,” Souttar concluded. “We have to build on this. We have to keep the momentum building and do the basics and what the manager wants from us and then we can see where we go.” The team’s focus will now be on maintaining this momentum as they continue their quest for the Scottish Premiership title.

For Mikey Moore, his goal was a milestone in his journey at Rangers. “I’m just so happy to get the goal,” he said after the match. “It means a lot to me and to my family. I knew this was going to be tough but I never lost faith.” The 18-year-old’s performance continues to impress, and with continued support from his team and supporters, there is much more to come from Moore at Rangers.

Rangers’ journey under Danny Rohl highlights the importance of consistency and resilience in football.

As they look ahead, the club faces a challenging season but has shown significant improvement since their difficult start. The performance against Celtic was not just about winning; it was about rekindling fan support and instilling confidence within the team.