Car crash call confirmed Rangers striker Jermain Defoe has a new ‘Bro’

Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos have become great rivals – and the best of friends.

They’re involved in a fight for the main striking role at Rangers, but have developed a strong bond off the field.

Morelos was one of the first to get in touch with Defoe when he was involved in a car crash last weekend.

Only the Englishman’s mother seemed more concerned about his welfare!

That sort of support from his team-mates, and the love coming his way from supporters, are two reason why he’s already thinking of extending his stay at Ibrox beyond this season.

Defoe is hoping to be back on the goal trail against Hamilton Accies this afternoon before celebrating his 37th birthday tomorrow.

He’s relieved the crash – which destroyed his Range Rover – didn’t result in serious injuries for anyone.

Defoe said: “It wasn’t until later that evening the police told me that another car had been involved.

“There were two women and a little kid in the car, and one of them messaged me on Instagram, asking if I was OK.

“If I was a little bit further forward, and that car had hit the smaller one, it would have been bad.

“When you think about it like that, it could have been a lot worse.

“As you can imagine, people all had their phones out, which is normal these days. So I knew that, at some point, it would be everywhere.

“I just didn’t want my mum to find out. I know what she’s like, she panics.

“I rang her to say I was fine – but she got the next flight up to check.

“There was another call and the voice said: ‘Bro, are you OK’? I said: ‘Who’s that?’ He said: ‘It’s Alfredo’.

“Then his friend came on and explained that he just wanted to check I was OK. He gave Alfredo the phone back and he said: ‘OK, Bro, bye’.

“I was laughing. But all the lads were great, checking I was alright.”

Perhaps having someone Morelos sees as a big brother is one of the reasons why the Colombian has been a calmer figure this season.

The on-field petulance that led to a string of red cards last term seems to have almost vanished.

Defoe said: “People that don’t know him, they think he is different, but he is a nice guy.

“His English has come on, and he makes an effort with the boys.

“I would like to think I have been a good influence on him.

“We speak quite a lot, and we are close now that Daniel Candeias has gone.

“When we knew Daniel was going, I thought it might be difficult for Alfredo because they were close. It isn’t easy when you are so young and your friend leaves.

“You have to make the effort, and I feel we have bonded.

“Even on the flight home from Switzerland the other day, he said: ‘Bro, what seat are you in?’ It was nice he wanted to sit near me.

“He calls me Bro. A lot of the boys call me Uncle. Joe Aribo and Sheyi Ojo call me that and it makes me feel old.”

The former England striker isn’t taking all the credit for an improvement in the behaviour of Morelos. He went on: “I didn’t chat to him about his discipline, but I think he knows.

“With the squad we have now, if you are getting sent off and are missing four or five games, then you won’t get back in the team.

“I think the games he missed at the end of last season acted as a wake-up call.

“He scored 30 goals last season. It could have been a lot more but he missed opportunities to score goals by getting sent off.”

Although Defoe has mostly had to play second fiddle to Morelos, he’s considering staying with Rangers beyond his loan deal from Bournemouth.

He said: “I have spoken to the manager and he knows how much I have enjoyed my time here.

“I said to one of my friends recently that I haven’t been here that long, but the appreciation from the fans is something special.

“You don’t always get that.”