Ibrox view: Missing star must return to back new Rangers signing with £3.7m on the line

Philippe Clement is already facing crucial Rangers fixtures two games into the season and needs one of his star men back in the line-up immediately.

Connor Barron was the only new signing in the starting XI at Hearts, much to the displeasure of fans, and gave a decent account of himself on debut.

The former Aberdeen youngster lined up alongside Mohamed Diomande in midfield and put in an energetic performance.

The Ivorian himself was playing in his first game as a permanent Gers player after his loan was made permanent this summer, having impressed during the preseason [Go Radio, 29 July].

But the game made clear that both need a capable defensive presence behind them to thrive and the importance of Dujon Sterling’s return from injury as soon as possible couldn’t be clearer.

Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande need help in Rangers midfield

The goalless draw at Tynecastle on 3 August was a disappointment for a side halfway through a transfer overhaul and the stakes are already far higher with the trip to Poland to face Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of the third Champions League qualifying round.

There is €4.3million [£3.7m] at stake just for making it through this round which is money that Philippe Clement badly needs to help complete his transfer business [Glasgow Times, 5 August].

After the Ukrainians destroyed Partizan Belgrade 9-2 on aggregate in the previous round it is unlikely Rangers will get their hands on that cash if they are as open in midfield as they were against the Jambos.

Diomande looks far more assured when on the ball and looking to build moves going forward while Barron is industrious but by no means a destroyer, and with both still young – 22 and 21 respectively – they were bypassed with too much ease in their first competitive game together.

Philippe Clement needs European cash for transfer budget

Sterling has proven to be the man for all occasions under Clement and was slated to take over the right-back role this season [Rangers Review, 17 June] as James Tavernier looked increasingly close to a Trabzonspor move [Rangers Review, 23 July].

But with the captain still at the club the manager needs the former Chelsea youngster much more at the base of his midfield to protect a shaky back line and marshal the developing pair ahead of him.

With Ryan Jack gone Rangers need a dependable presence in the middle to provide a platform for the two youngsters and disrupt opposition attacks.

Clement seems committed to using a number 10 but with the team looking half-baked Sterling is surely going to provide more use away to Dynamo Kyiv than Tom Lawrence fielded further ahead.

Sterling was pictured in training ahead of the game [Scottish Sun, 5 August] so if he is now available he has to start in the high-stakes European clash.

In other Rangers news, another ace has been left in the B Team and is now set to follow Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi to the exit.

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