By Frank McAvennie

2nd Dec, 2021 | 5:00pm

Defoe's 'time is up at Rangers now' after major new development - pundit

Frank McAvennie insists Jermain Defoe has no future at Rangers after being kicked off the coaching staff.

The Celtic icon, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, has claimed the striker will understand the decision.

As quoted by Sky Sports on 29 November, Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed Defoe, 39, would only be a player after a shakeup of the coaching staff.

The veteran hitman was handed a role as a player-coach after agreeing a new one-year deal at Ibrox on 8 June.

He has only played nine minutes over two appearances for the club this season though his most recent outing was during Van Bronckhorst’s first league game on 28 November.

McAvennie insists Defoe will have no problems with the new Rangers manager’s decision.

“The manager doesn’t know Defoe,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.

“So he can’t have any complaints. He’s bringing in his own team and he needs people he can trust.

“Defoe will know that as well so I can’t imagine he’s too annoyed. I think his time is up at Rangers now.

“He’s got a few months left on his deal so I can see him hanging around Ibrox until the end of the season.

“He’s always there as an option and what an option to have, he’s still so clinical.

“We know he’s a popular boy as well, the players all like him by the sounds of it and he’s a fan favourite.

“Short-term, he can help, but I don’t see a long-term future there.”

Defoe joined Rangers on an initial 18-month loan from Bournemouth back in January 2019.

He has scored 32 goals for the club in 76 appearances.

In other news, Rangers open talks over in-demand starlet ahead of January 1st.