Chris Jack: 'Key' Ibrox figures think Rangers star nearly always plays out of position

Dujon Sterling is seen as a right-back and not a midfielder by “key” figures at Rangers, according to Chris Jack.

The Rangers Review journalist said on the outlet’s YouTube channel on 5 September that the versatile former Chelsea man is still viewed as an alternative to James Tavernier rather than where he has been used so far at the club.

Sterling thrived in multiple positions as Philippe Clement battled with various injury crises last term, featuring at left-back, full-back, right-winger and in central midfield.

But with the exit-linked captain rarely ever missing a game his heir apparent has barely featured at the position the club intend for him.

Jack said (25m): “I know, key figures at the club do think Sterling is a right-back rather than a midfielder”.

Philippe Clement has decision to make on Rangers captain

According to Transfermartk Sterling has only made three of his 42 Light Blues appearances at right-back, which is probably no surprise when Tavernier is a rare Rangers player who is not repeatedly beset by injury.

It was widely expected that he would end his Ibrox career this summer as Trabzsonspor were in negotiations [Sky Sports, 24 July], and his form so far this term suggests it may have been a mistake not to get a deal done.

But it also says something about the rest of the squad that Sterling was arguably one of the top performers last year despite being out of position for nearly all of it.

Coming into the new campaign he is conceivably the top defensive midfield option, at least since Nico Raskin has been out, yet it appears the club still view him as primarily the successor to Tavernier.

If the 24-year-old is still at the club when Tavernier leaves, or if Clement makes the decision to drop the captain this term, the set-up will surely change along with the move.

Offensively it will be difficult to find a full-back anywhere who can replicate what Tavernier has produced in his time at the club, so others would have to pick up the slack, but when the attacking weapons look to be diminishing further by the day that is easier said than done.

Sterling would likely be a more solid option defensively but surely won’t be the same going forward, but until he gets a run at the position there is no way of telling for sure that he will be the right man for the long term.

In other Rangers news, another exit-linked Gers ace will now be “angry” and “stressed” with what has happened at Ibrox.

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