Rangers ace Jermain Defoe reveals fears for child caught up in horror three-car smash as worried team-mate Allan McGregor rushed to his aid
RANGERS star Jermain Defoe has revealed his worried mum flew to Scotland to comfort him following his car crash horror.
The striker, 36, told how devoted Sandra, 55, got the first plane from England to Glasgow.
The shaken footie star also told how team-mate Allan McGregor came to his aid after he was involved in the “scary” three-car smash.
Defoe revealed his keeper pal was just a few cars in front when his £160,000 Range Rover collided with a BMW.
McGregor quickly turned around to collect Defoe and shocked girlfriend Nicole before driving them home from the crash scene just outside the Clyde Tunnel in Jordanhill, Glasgow.
Speaking for the first time about his scare last Saturday, Defoe, who suffered whiplash, said: “The crash was scary — luckily I was in a big car. On the impact, we’d hit another car which I didn’t realise at the time.
“It wasn’t until later that evening the police told me that another car had been involved.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like that before and hopefully it’ll never happen again.
“Allan McGregor was a few cars in front and came back to get me. He took me and Nicole home.”
Onlookers told how they feared the worst as they saw a powerful BMW M4 hurtle through the central reservation and career straight into the former England star’s motor.
But Defoe, 36, revealed his concern for a child in a third vehicle caught up in the horror and feared the pile-up could have been much worse.
The ex-England forward said: “There were two women and a little kid in the car and one of them messaged me on Instagram, asking me if I was OK.
“She told me they were in the car beside me.
“If I was a little bit further forward and that car had hit the smaller one, it would have been bad.
“There was a little kid in there.
“When you think about it like that, it could have been a lot worse.”
We told how the former Tottenham and Sunderland star had scored in Rangers’ 5-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox before the crash.
The player escaped serious injury and no-one else was hurt.
Defoe was visibly upset as he was comforted at the scene by Nicole who was also in the Range Rover.
But he revealed he was concerned about telling his mum Sandra St Helen, 55, about his ordeal.
He told how worried Sandra — co-director of his charity foundation — immediately booked a flight from England to Scotland to check that he was fine.
He added: “I just didn’t want my mum to find out. Because I knew that I was OK, I was obviously going to tell her later.
“But then I panicked a little bit. My only worry was my mum finding out because she panics.
“She actually jumped on the next flight up — it’s so funny thinking about it now.
“I phoned her but didn’t know how to tell her. She’s so extreme.
“So I said: ‘Mum I’ve been in a car accident’. And she said: ‘What? Are you sure you’re OK, have you been to the hospital?’
“I said: ‘Mum, I’m fine, I’ve just got a little bit of whiplash’. But she got the next flight out.
“She’s unbelievable, it was so typical of her.”
Defoe also revealed fellow Gers striker Alfredo Morelos, 23, was among worried team-mates who called to check on him after the horror.
I panicked a little bit. My only worry was my mum finding out because she panics.
Defoe
He added: “I got so many messages, especially from all of the boys. Buff called me, he was at home with his friend. A voice said: ‘Bro, are you OK?’ I said: ‘Who’s that’? He said: ‘It’s Alfredo’.
“Then his friend came on and explained that he just wanted to check I was OK.
“He gave Alfredo the phone back and he said: ‘OK bro, bye’.
“I was laughing. But all the lads were great, checking I was alright.”
The star said he knew within minutes the crash would hit the headlines — after stunned onlookers stopped to take pictures and videos on their phones.
He added: “I was aware pretty straight away that people were concerned about me. I was shocked when I stepped out the car.
“But within minutes, there was a road block and a few people came over. They all had their phones out, which is normal these days.
“So I knew that, at some point, it would be everywhere.”
Last week, Defoe told fans on Instagram he was “still a bit in shock” in the immediate aftermath of the collision.
He told supporters: “I’m fine, I’m all good, I’m just going to go home and rest up.
“Still a bit in shock but I’m all good. Thank you for all your messages again.”
The Light Blues ace also sent a heartwarming video to the son of a cop who helped him.
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In the short clip, which appeared to be filmed at his home, the footballer said: “I’m here with your dad. “Make sure you look after him because he’s looked after me today.
“I’m glad you liked my goal today and hopefully I will be watching you on TV one day scoring all your goals. Cheers mate.”
Police Scotland said a man, 23, will be reported to prosecutors in connection with the smash.