Friendlies are never a good judge of where a team is, positive results can help with momentum but as we saw with Philippe Clement’s team selection for Rangers, experiments can play their part in disjointed performances.
There were elements of what the Gers boss is trying to implement in his squad although it is hard when a game is played at almost walking pace to find any real rhythm.
One thing that Philippe Clement will have learned though, is that Dujon Sterling is not what Rangers need on the right wing.
Philippe Clement gets Rangers experiment wrong
This isn’t a criticism of Sterling or of the manager.
The best time to experiment is in exactly this type of game with a largely first choice XI.
For example, nothing is ever gained when there are loads of youngsters picked to supply a frustrated backup striker with chances.
Rangers huffed and puffed with a strong side that started with Rabbi Matondo and John Lundstram going close but an area that is normally key to Philippe Clement’s success was short of creativity.
The right-hand side saw James Tavernier at right-back and Sterling playing in an unfamiliar role in front of him.
By my maths, that’s him now played five different positions since joining in the summer.
In fairness, he put in his usual shift and you can see why Clement wanted to try it out and why he loves him as a player.
Sterling is clearly a good player, he’s aggressive and an incredible athlete but he just doesn’t have the positional sense or nous to play on the wing.
Against better opposition in Europe, it might be an option with the extra protection he offers and because he would have more space to attack but you could almost see him thinking about where he should go when Tavernier joined the attack.
There was no fluidity or link up play plus, Rangers lost the 1v1 threat that Ross McCausland or even Scott Wright possesses.
It was worth a try, however, it is one that Philippe Clement shouldn’t be repeating any time soon and only serves to highlight what Rangers really need in this transfer window – a proper right winger.
