Premier League legend praise Nigeria-born youngster after another match-winning performance

Former England international Jermain Defoe has reserved special praise for Rangers team-mate Sheyi Ojo after the Gers crushed Hibernian in a 6-1 Scottish Premiership victory at Ibrox on Sunday.

Rangers stormed to a 6-1 victory over Hibs after a comprehensive performance in the summer drizzle ahead of their second leg Europa League qualifier against FC Midtjylland. Steven Gerrard’s men won the first leg 4-2 away in Denmark.

A hat-trick for the former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe, a double from Alfredo Morelos and a late strike from Sheyi Ojo dispatched a disappointing Hibs side.

https://www.twitter.com/sheyi_ojo/status/1160627851277873152

Defoe, the 20th player to score a century of Premier League goals and the sixth highest goalscorer in Tottenham’s history, was impressed with the young winger who is on loan from Liverpool.

Ojo supplied the assist for Defoe’s second goal before netting Rangers sixth and the former Portsmouth striker has revealed he expects to see more goals from the talented winger.

90' GOAL! @sheyi_ojo makes it six.

A new Full-Time Graphic required! pic.twitter.com/S7NZxXJSzq

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 11, 2019

Jermain Defoe told Rangers TV: “Sheyi has been fantastic since he’s been in and he’s getting his goals and assists.

“He’s direct and explosive. He’s a top player with so much potential”, Defoe stressed.

“I think he is going to be a massive player for us this year and he’ll score a lot of goals.”

Sheyi Ojo, born in Hemel Hempstead was a member of England’s U-20 FIFA World Cup winning squad in 2017, the country’s first win in a global tournament since their World Cup victory of 1966.

Sheyi #OJO " WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/zGJTzP3F4b

— Israel Ayenigbara (@Izy_OA) June 11, 2017

He has however spoken of his desire to represent the country of his parents, Nigeria.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about it (Nigeria interest), but if they call me I’d be honoured to go to Nigeria,” Ojo told BBC Sport, after the World Cup triumph.

“It’s obviously a massive nation. I’m just really focused on club football at the moment, but I’m excited for the future, both club and country.

“My parents are originally from Nigeria as well, so they know a lot about it. They’ve always been keen on the idea [to represent Nigeria] but so far I’ve mainly been focusing on club football.

“It’s starting to get to the time where I have to start thinking about my future. And of course, if Nigeria were to call me now it would be an honour.”