2nd-year man joins new Rangers leadership group as demotion under Clement explained - report

Philippe Clement sees Rangers star Dujon Sterling as an integral part of his squad and fitness concerns are behind his reduced involvement this season, The Rangers Review reports.

According to the outlet’s website on 1 October the Belgian believes the former Chelsea player is a key man at Ibrox, despite regularly being relegated to the bench this term.

Sterling, 24, has signed a new contract to extend his terms until 2028 and has also joined a new Rangers leadership group despite being in just his second season and yet to feature with any regularity in his natural position.

The right-back broke into the first team as a central midfielder above all last year but has fallen behind Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande in the pecking order there, while captain James Tavernier remains ever-present ahead of him in defence.

Dujon Sterling remains key at Rangers as new contract signed

Kris Boyd had questioned where Sterling stood in the squad live on Sky Sports after Nico Raskin came into the starting line-up against Hibs on 29 September (1.08pm), with Kieran Dowell then brought off the bench ahead of him as well as he was seemingly demoted to fifth choice.

The new contract and the addition to the leadership group would seem to dispel any fears that the manager has lost faith in him.

But if it is due to fitness struggles that is something of a red flag in itself, especially if he is the first in line to replace Tavernier at right-back when the 32-year-old does move on [Chris Jack, 17 June].

Many expected that to be this summer but links to Trabzonspor in the summer came to nothing [Sky Sports, 24 June], and a hefty pay rise with other Turkish giants was passed up during the fall out from the dismal defeat at Celtic [HITC, 12 September].

Although Tavernier’s form this season has drawn heavy criticism the one thing that can’t be held against him is his enduring availability as he has rarely missed a game in years, so Sterling will need to come much closer to the skipper’s level on that front.

The former Stoke City man was one of the bright spots last season as he and Jack Butland proved a pair of inspired free transfers signings, but he has looked almost as short of the levels he set last year as his captain has so far this term.

He should take confidence from his standing at Ibrox being reinforced by the latest developments, but will hope to get back to his best as soon as possible.

In other Rangers news, an international ace has revealed why his move to Ibrox collapsed at the last minute.

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