When Rangers signed Dujon Sterling on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer, the Scottish Premiership giants appeared to have snapped up a right-back to provide competition for captain James Tavernier.
What The Gers fans probably didn’t expect, however, was that the former Stoke City loanee would also be a fine addition to Philippe Clement’s midfield, slotting into a central role when required while never looking out of place even for a second. Sterling has thrived as a buccaneering right-winger too and, against Celtic in Sunday’s 3-3 Old Firm derby thriller, added yet another string to his ever-crowded bow with a fine display 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
“Borna had some problems this week, he was sick,” Clement would explain. “I want freshness for sure from the start off the game with power in the one-against-one duels because we know the wingers of Celtic are strong in that way.
“We want to hurt them also offensively by playing with our full-backs. That’s why Dujon is in. It’s the first time with me he played left full-back.”
Sterling, typically, took to his new role with trademark enthusiasm and aggression. Whether he is a seen by Clement as a long-term option for the left-sided spot remains to be seen. But, with Barisic’s contract expiring in the summer, that stand-out display against Celtic may give the former Monaco boss some food for thought.
Read more: Rangers confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits, releases for 2023/24
Borna Barisic appers set for Ibrox exit
Barisic, who joined Rangers in a £2 million deal from Osijek back in 2018, has reportedly reached ‘an agreement in principle’ with Turkish outfit Trabzonspor. There were concerns that a change in Super Lig rules – top-flight clubs will only be able to register 12 foreign players next season – but the Milliyet newspaper insists that things are still moving in the right direction.
Trabzonspor, who have also been linked with the Croatian’s Rangers team-mate John Lundstram, are now ‘in the final stages of signing Barisic’.
The Glasgow giants have been mentioned alongside a host of potential replacements, from Owen Beck to Gijs Smal and Jefte Vital. But assuming Yilmaz stays – and it looks likely he will – could Sterling’s consistency and versatility ensure that Rangers do not need to spend on a replacement?
