JERMAIN DEFOE is adamant that it is "only a matter of time" before Rangers topple Celtic off the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Ibrox striker, who is currently on-loan from English Premier League side Bournemouth, admits he would love to go down in the history books and land a historic 55th title for the Light Blues.

But with Steven Gerrard's side 13 points behind Neil Lennon's Hoops at the moment, and with Scottish football in shutdown mode, it doesn't look like the Premiership crown will be headed to Ibrox anytime soon.

Speaking to the footballfancast, he said: “I said it when I signed, I believe it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Celtic fans give me a bit of banter about it on social media but I do genuinely believe it’s only a matter of time.

“For one, Rangers fans are special. They travel everywhere. And then when I look at the coaching staff, the manager and his presence, and the whole team, the club has everything it needs to be successful. Everything, even down to the food we’re eating at the training ground.

“The squad is so strong. We do 11v11 in training and we all wonder afterward what team the manager is going to pick at the weekend because he can literally pick two different teams. Having that keeps everyone on their toes, which is good.

“If we win the league again that’s 55 titles. It’ll be a special one and to be a part of something like that would be mad.

“I’m not even focused on that (stopping Celtic). I’m just focused on being a part of Rangers history. When you walk down the tunnel and on to the pitch at Ibrox you can see the names of great players on a board and I say to the players, if we can be on that board one day then we’ve done something special.

“When you’re on that board you know that even after you leave, you’re always welcome back. So to see my name on that board one day would be unbelievable.”

On playing in the Old Firm derby against Celtic, Defoe added: “It’s the best. It’s unbelievable. I appreciate all the derbies I’ve played in but when I spoke to Graeme Souness before I signed for Rangers, he told me it’s the best football match in the world.

“But you have to experience what it’s like, it’s a special game. When we beat them 2-0 at home, the atmosphere was incredible. I was looking around, almost in a trance, looking at the crowd bouncing, it gave me goosebumps. It really was amazing.”