Jermain Defoe left Moore with an easy decision to make after missed Ibrox opportunity planted the seed for Glasgow switch
Mikey Moore had already been filled in on the Ibrox atmosphere by Spurs’ modern-day stars.
But when the call came offering a move to Rangers, he realised it was a Tottenham legend of old he had to speak with.
And thankfully for Russell Martin, Jermain Defoe’s words could not have been warmer as he urged the 18-year-old to get himself up to Glasgow quick.
Moore took that advice on as he signed up for a 12-month loan stint with Gers.
Now the talented teenage winger is looking to emulate the achievements of a man who is now regarded as a hero as much at Ibrox as he is in North London.
Defoe helped Steven Gerrard’s squad lift Premiership silver back in 2021 but after retiring, returned to Tottenham to help rear the Lillywhite’s next generation of youngsters.
Exciting winger Moore was among the kids the former England ace worked alongside before quitting his academy gig last summer.
And he said: ”Obviously I spoke to Jermaine Defoe, being my old coach at Tottenham. I’m really close to him now, so I spoke to him about the club and he didn't say a bad word about it.
"He said it's an unbelievable place and told me, ‘If you've got a chance to go there, then take it’.
“What a player! What a guy as well.
"I remember seeing some of his goals up here. I was a bit younger then but I know that he was an unbelievable finisher as a striker and the fans loved him up here.
“He said he loved his time up here and I think he wishes he could have played here longer. I hope I can make a similar impact."
Moore’s parent club paid a visit to Ibrox last season en route to lifting the Europa League.
There was a surge of emotions as Ange Postecoglou and his team went all the way to Bilbao to secure the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
But they very nearly blew a fuse in Glasgow on a night when the electrifying Ibrox atmosphere came close to handing supercharged Gers a famous win.
The Light Blues were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the end but the noise in the stands made a lasting impression on the Spurs squad.
Moore may have missed that trip but he certainly heard all about it.
He said: ”No I didn’t play that night. At the time, I was out for a bit, so I couldn't travel. I watched the game on TV but I was fuming that I couldn’t come up.
"When they came back, the lads all said it was one of the best atmospheres they've ever played in.
“So when I heard about Rangers’ interest, I think that comes straight into my mind. I remembered all the good things the boys said. I can't wait to play in that sort of atmosphere myself.”
Moore might just get his chance come Tuesday night when Martin’s team line-up for their final Champions League eliminator.
Club Brugge come to Ibrox for the first leg of a £40million shoot-out but hopes are not exactly soaring amongst the Gers fanbase.
Martin’s Rangers revolution has yet to ignite despite a £20million summer spend.
But Moore hopes he can provide a spark having enjoyed his first taste of continental action last season.
The Spurs kid - who registered five appearances during that triumphant Europa League run and grabbed his first senior goal after a mazy run against Swedes Elfsborg - said: “Tuesday is a massive game, as every game is when you play for Rangers.
"I'm excited for it. I've seen some of the games in the earlier rounds and it's been good to qualify.
"So it's a massive opportunity for me and all the boys so I can't wait to go.
"It was a really good season in Europe for me and for the team at Tottenham last year.
"So I've had some good experiences and I'm ready to go and show more, really.
"I want to go and make more of an impact on a European stage, so I'm ready to play.
"I just want to play for this club and I want to just become a better player really, so I think there's a massive opportunity at this club and there's massive games. It's a great club.
"So I just want to play as many games as possible, score as many goals and excite as many people as I can.”
Moore has been in Glasgow for almost three weeks but he was only given the green light to make his first appearance in a blue jersey on Saturday against Alloa as Ibrox chiefs finally cut their way through the red tape holding up his debut.
But that delay has allowed the youngster to settle into life in Glasgow away from the intrusive Old Firm spotlight.
However, he knows all eyes will be on him as he gets down to work with Martin’s team.
"I've experienced it a bit so far, but obviously it's not the same when you're not playing,” he said after Gers’ 4-2 win secured a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final berth.
“Now I'm involved in it I will probably feel it more, but for me personally, if I do what I'm good at and I go play the way I know I can, I think everything would be alright.
"I see the way the gaffer wants to play and it suits me a lot.
"It's attacking football, I get a lot of opportunities on the wing to go and show what I can do.
“It doesn’t affect me, it helps me actually, so I'm happy to be playing under the gaffer.”
Martin is the man he has to impress now but Moore will always be grateful to a boss who once plied his trade on the opposite side of the city here.
Asked about Postecoglou’s impact on his career, he said: "I'm thankful for him really. He gave me my debut for the club, so he's helped me a lot, but now I’m focussed on playing here."