JERMAIN DEFOE was overcome with emotion as he opened up on his relationship with the players at Rangers.

The veteran striker, 39, left Ibrox last week after struggling with limited game-time this season.

But he revealed his incredible bond with his former team-mates as he teared up while discussing his time at Ibrox on talkSPORT.

Speaking with Laura Woods and Rangers hero Ally McCoist, Defoe revealed Ibrox stars called him "uncle" and left a lasting memory with the striker.

He explained: "My team-mates, oh mate, I get emotional..."

Defoe then paused as he regained composure after welling up thinking of his Rangers team-mates.

He then continued: "The boys, they are unbelievable. You sign for a club, obviously I came with a big reputation, but I was so desperate to go and win a league title and the boys were fantastic.

"They weren't like 'ah JD' sort of thing, they were just brilliant.

"My team-mates were just special, especially the young lads, I got messages from some of the boys, they call me uncle. Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara, they call me uncle.

"It's so funny at this stage of my career because I would come in the gym, and the lads would be on their phones, they would be like 'uncle's coming'."

And Defoe went on to reveal Aribo was in touch with a touching message after he left the club. Ibrox favourite Aribo, who is on international duty with Nigeria, hailed Defoe as he insisted it was an "honour" to play alongside him.

Defoe explained: "Just that appreciation from the boys. I think it was Joe Aribo messaged me the other day, a nice message and said: 'Honour to play with you uncle, I feel so blessed that I helped you and I contributed in helping you get that league title. So these are special people."