Rangers manager Michael Beale was coy when asked about apparent Ibrox interest in versatile Chelsea defender and Stoke loanee Dujon Sterling.
Reports have ramped up this week that Rangers are closing in on a deal for the 23-year-old, who can play on either side as a full-back, with his contract expiring at the Premier League giants.
While Dujon Sterling has been routinely employed as a right-back, his versatility could be a big boost Michael Beale’s squad while also lighting a fire under James Tavernier.
Michael Beale – who earlier in the season claimed the club’s transfer dealings would be made up of players familiar to him – also worked with Sterling in the Chelsea youth set-up back in 2008.
Michael Beale coy on Dujon Sterling links
Speaking ahead of the Old Firm clash with Celtic, Beale refused to confirm or deny the reports linking Rangers to Sterling and out of respect shut the questions down.
“There’s a lot of speculation and names, lots of good players which is nice that they’re being linked with us but until anything’s concrete we don’t want to talk about any individual players,” said Beale.
“Out of respect for their clubs and the players as well.
“Yeah [I coached Dujon Sterling at Chelsea] but not since 07/08 since I saw him.
“He’s a good player but I don’t want to say much more than that.”
Rangers have been linked with a whole host of new players ahead of the transfer window, with the Ibrox side set for a sizeable summer revamp after a devastating season at the club.
Heads have rolled in the boardroom and now they are also set to on the pitch, with Sterling heading up a reported three-pronged pre-contract beginning to the summer’s business.
Rangers will now look to finish the season strongly, despite the likely exits this summer, as the club looks forward to a fresh injection of talent in time for the next campaign.
While Beale failed to confirm or deny interest in Sterling, it doesn’t take Columbo to work out that there is certainly something substantial in the links.
