JERMAIN Defoe insisted he was happy at Cherries having been linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers.

Experienced striker Defoe scotched rumours he could link up with former England team-mate Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

The Scottish Sun last month reported boss Eddie Howe “could sanction a loan deal” for the former West Ham and Tottenham star.

But the 35-year-old stressed his future remained at Vitality Stadium.

Asked if he could envisage a deadline-day move to rival his switch from West Ham to Tottenham in 2004, Defoe replied: “No way, I’ve been there, done that.

“I’ve always been one of those players, even when I see rumours I always try to focus on the club you’re at. You have got a job to do, you’re here, you’re happy and that’s it.

“The speculation is just part and parcel of it. Everyone gets it and you just get your head down, work hard and get ready for the season.”

Addressing rumours linking him to Rangers, Defoe added: “I saw some of that but again, that’s just something I’ve always had. Even when I’ve been at clubs and played every game, you will always find something, especially with social media.

“I’ve played alongside Steven Gerrard and we’ve got the same agent. I’m just like everyone else, you see things on Twitter and in the papers but that’s it, really.”

Defoe scored four times last season having switched to Cherries from Sunderland on a free transfer.

And he believes the days of deadline-day dashes are behind him.

“It’s a nightmare,” he added.

“When I signed for Tottenham, I was round the corner from White Hart Lane and I had to put my suit on in the car.

“I got the phone call on a Sunday night. I was told ‘Tottenham want you’ and I thought ‘wow’.

“When I went to Portsmouth, I was at my mum’s house and had to rush there. Harry (Redknapp) said ‘don’t worry about the medical, you’re fit, just sign!’"