IN terms of their backgrounds and their careers, there are more differences than similarities between Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe. There is, of course, also the language barrier.

But a desire to score goals, the chance to become a hero at Rangers, has brought them together. The striking rivals have become close colleagues and a friendship continues to blossom.

High fives and hugs have been exchanged when either has scored in recent weeks as boss Steven Gerrard has been heartened by the camaraderie between the pair.

On Wednesday evening, Gerrard shared a laugh with Defoe as Morelos showed his frustration at being replaced and he was denied a chance of a hat-trick in the 4-0 Premiership win over Ross County.

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Morelos’ disappointment was no surprise but the bond with Defoe has been pleasing for Gerrard.

“To be honest, it was the most predictable reaction ever in football,” he said. “I get that reaction off him every time I take him off and I love that reaction.

“You don’t want to see your centre-forward smiling and sprinting to get off. So I loved Alfredo’s reaction, but it was so predictable. I’d have certainly put ten pound on it if I could.

“I think they are driven on by the thought that they can both become heroes at Rangers if they continue to fire the team to success. That’s the main goal. They get on ever so well off the pitch, and on the pitch.

“They are both in a great place and I think the relationship is blossoming really well.

“Alfredo was really close to (Daniel) Candeias when he was here. Daniel left and it was a small concern how he would react to that. But it’s actually had the opposite effect. He has come out of his shell more and is mixing better with other people.

“He seems to be in a fantastic place both on and off the pitch. I think Jermain has slid nicely into being that person that Daniel was – a shoulder for Alfredo and that close friend you need in the dressing room. It has been fascinating to watch it blossom.”

The brace that Morelos scored against County took his tally for the campaign to 18 but Defoe couldn’t add to his 13 strikes during the closing stages in the Highlands.

There will undoubtedly be bragging rights up for grabs come the end of the season but both are inspired by collective success.

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Gerrard needs his forwards to keep firing and he is sure Morelos and Defoe will continue to bring out the best in each other.

He said: “We all had them, a bromance – your word not mine! It is what it is. You need people you’re tight with in the dressing room.

“There’s a fantastic team spirit here and a low maintenance group. But people have close relationships and bonds and that one is certainly blossoming really nicely.

“It’s great to see. It’s been fascinating because there’s an age difference, a culture difference.

“But they seem to be getting on ever so well. They both play the same position and both love scoring goals. For Alfredo Jermain is gold dust and he should be tapping into him at every opportunity.

“It’s ultimate respect. I think Alfredo sees Jermain, probably watched him for many years.

“I think he respects the career he’s had and respects that he’s still as hungry as he was when he set out. I think Alfredo realises a club this size can’t be successful and function with one centre-forward. I think he’s coming around to the fact he needs to understand he can’t play every minute of every game and be at the top level.

“He needs to be offloaded and needs the support and we need more than one striker in great form if we want to have success together.

“In terms of Jermain it’s the non-ego situation. He’s got no ego. He’s coming here to score goals and help the team. That’s his priority but he also understands we’ve brought him in for a different role as well and that’s to mentor and to be there for the likes of Alfredo to tap into and support and help us drive the dressing room.

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“That’s what Jermain is doing and he’s doing it ever so well.”

The friendship that Morelos and Defoe have formed is symptomatic of the spirit that permeates the Light Blues squad these days.

Gerrard has spoken previously of his desire to ensure he has the right characters within his ranks and there is a mixture of youth and experience, of different personalties, amongst the group the the 39-year-old leads and guides.

Gerrard said: “I don’t want to speak too soon! But up until now they have been low maintenance. It’s pretty simple, really.

“When we came in the first time we spoke to the players we said we wanted this to be a really enjoyable environment, a learning environment where you skip into work and you enjoy training and enjoy being together.

“We told them we would improve the place so it was a nice environment to come and work in. And when we work, we work.

“And the players are really buying into the fact that when they have to listen and when we have big games and we’re preparing for big games it is work. There’s no fun, it’s serious. It’s work. But around that we want it to be an enjoyable place to work.

“My door is always open not just to the first team players but to everyone in the building.

“That’s the way I want it to be, I want it to be all as one. I want to connect the whole club. That’s the way I like to work, that’s the way I liked my managers to work for me.”