Ibrox View: Clement must make obvious transfer decision at Rangers this January

Philippe Clement must sanction the sale of James Tavernier in January amid developments regarding Dujon Sterling’s role at Rangers.

The Belgian reportedly ultimately sees Sterling featuring regularly at right-back [Chris Jack] with concerns around the player’s fitness ending the experiment in central midfield.

Tavernier was one of many on the long list of Rangers players on the chopping block this summer as the club underwent an extensive summer rebuild but opted to remain in Glasgow and continue his 10-year spell with the club.

After an extremely difficult start to the season for the Gers, Clement must think ahead with the January transfer window another opportunity to further bolster the side and perhaps time when the club part ways with Tavernier and place their trust in Sterling for the future.

Rangers must prioritise Dujon Sterling over James Tavernier

It has been apparent for some time that Tavernier is living on borrowed time at Rangers and he has been a disappointment this season as a player and a captain.

The 32-year-old has shied away from his responsibilities when it mattered most, from the Champions League elimination to Dynamo Kyiv to the 3-0 loss to Celtic in the Old Firm derby, he lacks the qualities to lead the side.

Clement proved himself that he doesn’t really view Tavernier as a long-term leader for the Gers, with the decision to remove the full-back during the 4-1 loss to Lyon in the Europa League [The National] and, while he can still offer a threat from dead-ball situations, he is failing to get the basics right.

The current season in many aspects can be considered a write-off, Rangers trail Celtic and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership by five points, and after the humiliating loss to Lyon at Ibrox, qualification to the knockout stages of the Europa League is also pretty tricky.

Rangers must have a plan in place for Sterling after his long-term contract extension and if his future belongs at full-back, not midfield, what is the point in persisting with a player who, while he has been a good servant to the club, is seemingly past his peak?

Clement faces an uphill battle to remain competitive on all fronts in the coming months and, instead of selecting Tavernier, the time would be better served handing Sterling as many minutes as possible to succeed the captain in January.

In other Rangers news, Cyriel Dessers is set for a Danilo boost at the Gers as the latest Ibrox injury update emerges.

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