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)
According to Derek Ferguson, James Tavernier should leave the Rangers and give Dujon Sterling the reins at right back.
As reported by The Gallant Few Podcast on June 19, the Ibrox captain is a target for former managers Steven Gerrard [Daily Record, May 24] and Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Al-Ettifaq and Besiktas [Sozcu, June 9]. The captain is claimed to have already agreed to personal terms with the former.
Ferguson, a former Light Blues midfielder, believes that Sterling would be “outstanding” in the Middle East and is in favor of the 32-year-old defense cashing in to conclude his career there. However, he is clear about who he wants to replace the void left by Sterling’s departure.
He said, “We’ve got a ready-made replacement for Tavernier in Sterling,” in an exclusive interview with Ibrox News.
“Many Rangers supporters often tell me that the best place for him is in the middle of the park.
“No, in my opinion, he would excel in a role that he was familiar with during his loan spell at Stoke City.
“I believe that now is the ideal moment for Tav to leave, receive our congratulations, make some money, and place Sterling in that role.”
Dujon Sterling ready to step up for Philippe Clement at Rangers
Tavernier was again one of the few players at Ibrox to be unaffected by injuries during the previous season, so Sterling, who was bought as a right-back from Chelsea a year ago, hardly had an opportunity to play in that role.
Under Philippe Clement, the 24-year-old emerged as the team’s go-to player, dominating in central midfield and providing strong performances at left-back, right wing, and even center-back while other players were out.
Tavernier has been the starting right-back ever since Nathan Patterson left for Everton. Mateusz Zukowski, the backup that was brought in before Sterling, played in just one cup before leaving again.
