Jermain Defoe sends warning to Celtic after Rangers go top

Jermain Defoe has sent a warning to Glasgow rivals, Celtic, after his hat-trick in Rangers’ 5-0 win over Hamilton saw them go two points clear of the eight-in-a-row champions at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

How quickly things can change in football! Just last month it seemed like Celtic were going to cakewalk their way to a record-equaling ninth straight Scottish Premiership title. They were enjoying their best start to a league campaign in a decade after winning all six of their opening games of the season and already had a dominant 2-0 win away at Ibrox against their closest challengers, Rangers.

But after dropping five points from the last two games against Hibernian and Livingston, respectively, Celtic find themselves two points behind their Old Firm rivals who have won all their league games since that loss to the Hoops at home. As a result, it is quite clear that Celtic have a fight on their hands this season on their quest for history and equal the all-time record for most consecutive Scottish Premiership title.

Steven Gerrard’s men are ready to fight till the end and they have a squad capable of pulling off what will be considered by most Scottish fans as an upset title victory over the Green and White side of Glasgow. While it is still early days in the season and there is no reason to push the button at Parkhead yet, the Hoops should have realized by now that any slip up could prove costly come the end of the season. Failure to equal the record will not be taken lightly by the fans.

Rangers striker and Premier League legend, Jermain Defoe, certainly believes his team have what it takes to lift the trophy at the end of the campaign. Speaking to talkSPORT after seeing his hat-trick help his side go two points of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table, Defoe said:

"“I always knew it was a massive club. I just feel blessed to get a chance to play for such a massive club, its special. When I got the phone call (to come to Rangers) it was an easy decision. I’m loving it here.“We’re confident, when I look at the players beside me you have to be confident. There’s a lot of internationals, young players who are hungry.“You have to respect Celtic but I feel that if we continue to keep doing what we’re doing, and the spirit we have now in the club, its only a matter of time before we achieve something special.”"

Now 37, the veteran striker is still doing what he does best: score goals. In 14 appearances for Rangers this season he has scored 12 times and Gerrard will be that his former Premier League rival can maintain this form if his side are to have any chance of stopping Celtic from winning a ninth straight Premiership title.