Michael Stewart tells Clement he 'cannot afford' to leave Rangers man out of starting XI

Michael Stewart has told Philippe Clement he’s got to “find somewhere” in the Rangers starting XI for Dujon Sterling.

The Englishman has been a peripheral figure at Ibrox so far this season, starting just two Premiership matches despite putting pen to paper on a new contract just before the international break in Glasgow.

Although it still isn’t yet clear what Sterling’s best position is, Premier Sports pundit Stewart believes that the Light Blues and Clement “cannot afford” not to start the Englishman week in and week out.

Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club (7 October, 31:50) he said: “I said this yesterday on commentary.

“For me, you’ve got to find somewhere in the team for him. On his game, he is a player that Rangers cannot afford to not have in the team so you’ve got to try and get him up to speed and get him in the team somewhere.

“It may well be that it is in the centre of the midfield because he brings energy, dynamism and he’s got that awareness of filling in, tacking and giving a bit of bite.

“If he’s not in there, you don’t really have a physical presence.”

What has happened to Dujon Sterling at Rangers and Ibrox?

At his best, it is hard to argue that Sterling isn’t one of the best players in this Rangers squad currently.

The versatile right-back was easily one of the most consistent performers in Clement’s first season in Glasgow as he starred as a midfielder, centre-back and winger while so many other players struggled to adapt to the Scottish game.

But for whatever reason, the Englishman has not been anywhere near that standard so far this term. He did suffer from one or two injury setbacks during pre-season and you have to wonder if that has stopped him from getting completely up to speed.

While Stewart is right to suggest Sterling gives the Gers a much greater physical presence in the middle of the park, Clement has plenty of excellent midfielders to choose from now and cannot therefore risk playing somebody who isn’t in form.

Ultimately, it is now down to Sterling to show the Belgian that Stewart is correct and that the Gers cannot afford to drop him.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues’ stance on a new free-agent transfer has been shared after recent developments at Ibrox

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