GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
It seemed like Rangers had acquired a right-back to challenge captain James Tavernier when they signed Dujon Sterling from Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer.
The former Stoke City loanee, however, turned out to be a great addition to Philippe Clement’s midfield, able to go into a central role when needed and never look out of place for even a moment. This was something that The Gers fans surely didn’t anticipate. In Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 Old Firm derby match against Celtic, Sterling, who has flourished as a gallant right-winger as well, added another string to his already impressive bow with a brilliant performance on the left.
With Ridvan Yilmaz injured and Borna Barisic ill, Sterling got the nod to start on the opposite flank.
Dujon Sterling an inspired addition by Rangers
Clement would say, “Borna had some issues this week; he was sick.” “We know that Celtic’s wingers are good in that area, so I want freshness right from the beginning of the game with power in one-on-one duels.
We want to use our full-backs to damage them offensively as well. Hence, Dujon is included. He has never played left full-back for me before.
As usual, Sterling embraced his new position with his usual zeal and assertiveness. It remains to be seen if Clement views him as a long-term solution for the left-sided post. However, Barisic’s contract expires in the summer, so the former Monaco manager may want to consider what he saw in that outstanding performance against Celtic.
Borna Barisic is scheduled to leave Ibrox.
Barisic, who came to Rangers from Osijek in 2018 for a £2 million transfer, is said to have “agreed in principle” with Trabzonspor of Turkey. Top-tier teams will only be allowed to register 12 international players for the upcoming Super Liga season, raising concerns about the restrictions, but the Milliyet newspaper is adamant that things are still heading in the right path.
Trabzonspor is currently “in the final stages of signing Barisic.” The Croatian’s Rangers teammate John Lundstram has also been connected to the club.
The Glasgow powerhouses have been linked to a number of possible successors, including Owen Beck, Gijs Smal, and Jefte Vital. But even if Yilmaz stays, which seems likely, will Sterling’s versatility and consistency mean the Rangers won’t have to spend money on a replacement?
