Daily Record

Kemar Roofe tells all as Rangers star takes fans inside the 'perfect moment' Ibrox title party kicked off

Daily Record logoDaily Record 25/03/2021 20:55:09 Fraser Wilson

He got goosebumps winning a title in an empty stadium.

Now Kemar Roofe is desperate to experience the full spine-tingling rush of doing it all again - in front of a packed Ibrox.

The joy is still reverberating for the Englishman after helping Rangers end a decade-long wait for a top flight title in his first season in Govan.

But while he can't wait for the sound of the Champions League theme tune blaring out to replace the Europa League music which has become a regular feature down Edmiston Drive way it's another deafening sound which he craves more than anything.

The noise of 50,000 Rangers diehards bringing the house down as Steven Gerrard's side look to take the next step on their roaring journey back to the very top which saw them turn the volume up to 55 earlier this month.

The 28-year-old former Leeds and Anderlecht striker, who has chipped in with 12 goals, insists this is just the start of the journey.

And speaking to Ibrox legend Ally McCoist on the Super 6 Podcast he admitted even he felt like a fan as the Scottish Premiership title was finally confirmed when Celtic dropped points at Dundee United.

He said: "We were at the training ground supposed to be doing a recovery session with the game in the background. But it was the perfect moment with everybody there. Now I understand how it feels to be a fan.

"It was strange because I was watching the game and even though I had no connection towards the other team I wanted a certain result!

"We got that and it was amazing.

"The rules were supposed to be no phones.

"But it was safe. A lot of people were in shock. It was shock, joy, overwhelmed - people couldn't believe what had happened.

"Then the following days it was realisation we had won and let's really be happy about it."

Kemar Roofe in a blue uniform holding a ball © PA

Roofe continued: "What convinced me to join? That's easy. The size of the club, the fanbase, the history and the gaffer. The combination of those things makes it an easy decision.

"The last thing I look at is the team mates. The rest of it sells it for me.

"I can't wait for the fans. I get reminded every day from the gaffer, the staff, people in the supermarket, anybody I see or talk to about the atmosphere at Ibrox.

"Even when you are on the pitch and you just look up to the stands and see all those seats. You get goosebumps and that's without the fans!

"I can only imagine what it'll be like full.

"Champions League football is one of my dreams. The first was Europa League football hence why I moved to Anderlecht then Rangers.

"We have had a good run at that. Now Champions League is another thing on my bucket list.

"But I don't just want to make the numbers up.

"I want to win games, score goals and look good.

"I can't wait. When I was signing for Rangers I remember someone telling me - you just wait for those nights when you are walking out to the music.

"Even though the stadium was empty it happened with the Europa League music.

"That feeling is something I will never forget. It's addictive. It gets you going."

Kemar Roofe standing on a stage © SNS Group

Roofe had already carved out a reputation as a top level striker at Leeds United and Anderlecht before making the switch to Govan in August.

But under Gerrard he has turned into a winner, with the Premiership title his first major honour.

He credits the former Liverpool and England hero's insatiable appetite to win as being the foundation for the success which saw the Gers lift the title in record quick time.

Unbeaten in 33 games so far with only five of those drawn it';s been an incredible campaign.

And Roofe said: "Even the draws felt like defeats. That in itself shows the demands we have on each other and what we want to achieve this season.

"That comes from the gaffer.

"He was like that as a player so he naturally brings it as a manager too. Each year he has brought in players with that same mentality and we now have a dressing room full of that - even in training we have to win.

"The gaffer joins in training sometimes if we are a man short.

"He still has the quality. You know if you give him the ball he will find you again.

"He'll tackle you aswell! You have to be careful because he is going to leave a foot in now and again!

"We knew we had the players, the staff, the set-up and we could really do something this season. Game by game you keep getting the three points and building, then you see the teams behind you dropping points.

"But you never think 'we've won it here'. We had that focus game by game.

"In the moment you can never think 'we are 15 points ahead of Celtic'. In our head we were one point ahead because we had to keep winning.

"It's just tunnel vision.

"Even as soon as we won the league the next training session the gaffer told us 'this is just the start, this is the beginning of something'.

"The momentum needs to keep going. We need to win the double, we need to get in the Champions League and see how far we can go."

. Super 6 and the Super 6 Podcast can be found on Twitter.com/super6 and Facebook.com/super6

jeudi 25 mars 2021 22:55:09 Categories: Daily Record

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