JERMAIN DEFOE insists Rangers fans should be excited for the future under Steven Gerrard despite their Scottish Cup exit to Aberdeen on Tuesday night.
The Light Blues saw their last remaining realistic chance of silverware this season slip through their grasps as they went down 2-0 to Derek McInnes’ side at Ibrox.
Defoe moved north of the border from Bournemouth during the January transfer window to add strength and depth to Gerrard’s ranks ahead of a crack at the Premiership title and Scottish Cup.
And the striker hopes supporters aren’t too disheartened by a disappointing few weeks as Gerrard learns from his mistakes during his first season in charge.
READ MORE: Niall McGinn insists Glasgow holds no fear factor for Aberdeen ahead of Hampden return
Defoe said: “Fans are going to be frustrated, just like the players. I mentioned before it’s a massive football club and you know as players when you’re playing for a big football club, like any club in the world, there’s big demands.
“You have to play well every game. The fans expect you to win, expect you to progress in these kinds of tournaments.
“But, I think in a short space of time I’ve been here, watching other games on TV and stuff like that, I wouldn’t want to be in other dressing rooms. I think if you look at the quality we’ve got in the dressing room, the international players we’ve got, it’s a time for the football club to be excited.
“The fans should be excited. Yes, it’s a disappointment after the Aberdeen defeat. But I just think it can take time for things to build.
READ MORE: Rangers are making steady progress under Steven Gerrard
“You can get the best players in the world and put them together. But it’s not going to become an unbelievable team overnight. Sometimes it takes time.
“And you’ve seen that with the best teams and best players.
“But if I was a Rangers fan, watching the games on the terraces with a season ticket, I’d definitely be excited. It’s a club and a team definitely going places.”
A season that saw Rangers reach the Europa League group stages and end their barren Old Firm run looks like coming to a faltering close for Gerrard in the coming weeks.
The Liverpool legend accepted full responsibility for the damaging defeat to the Dons and Defoe is confident his former England team-mate will guide his side to success in the future.
He said: “Of course it’s a building process. It doesn’t matter who the manager is.
READ MORE: Jermain Defoe insists Rangers players won't think their season is over despite Scottish Cup exit
“Obviously, though, the manager is a winner. Look at his playing career and everything he’s won; he’s a winner.
“You can imagine how he feels after the Aberdeen defeat. He’s brave, he’s going to take it, take all the blame himself.
“But, at the end of the day, you guys don’t see how hard everyone works behind the scenes. Not just the manager, but the staff and everyone. We’ve got everything we need. Not just on the football side, but nutrition and everything.
“It ticks every box. It’s an unbelievable environment to be in. I’ve enjoyed it.
“It’s going to take time but I’m confident we’re definitely moving forward. But, it’s just a massive disappointment losing to Aberdeen.
“We came into the game feeling confident. The way we’ve been playing, the way we’ve been scoring, the chances created.
“Look at the league, I don’t think there’s many teams playing as well as we are at the minute, bar [Tuesday] night.”
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