Jermain Defoe faces the axe from Ibrox

Jermain Defoe is about to leave Ibrox as Ross Wilson undergoes a round of cost cutting. 

The striker arrived on loan from Bournemouth in January 2019 before a permanent deal was agreed between the clubs, believed to be matching the wages that the striker had at Bournemouth. 

After appearances last season as a super-sub Defoe signed a player-coach contract in June 2021 but Giovanni van Bronckhorst dropped his coaching role and is now trying to get the striker off the wage bill. 

The Athletic reports: 

Jermain Defoe is set to leave Rangers, The Athletic understands. The 39-year-old took on a role as player/coach in the summer but has only made two appearances this season. 

Meanwhile, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has brought in Dave Vos, Roy Makaay and Arno Phillips to supplement the existing coaching staff. 

Defoe has scored 32 goals since he joined in January 2019 on an initial loan deal. Rangers will have another striker to add to their ranks though as Cedric Itten is on his way back to Rangers as they activated his recall clause. 

The Swiss striker scored two goals in 12 games on loan at Bundesliga club Greuther Furth but after a call with Van Bronckhorst to discuss his role he will now return to provide another forward option. 

Defoe will almost certainly require a pay-off to quit Ibrox with a coaching role likely at Aston Villa.