Philippe Clement has selected his Rangers squad for the trip to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
But whilst Rangers fans are delighted to see the likes of Ianis Hagi and Hamza Igamane in the starting XI at McDiarmid Park, there is one mystery absence which is turning heads.
Rangers captain James Tavernier has been recalled to the starting XI with Dujon Sterling – now believed to be the club’s first-choice option in the position – dropping out of the squad completely.
Dujon Sterling to see ‘specialist’ over injury
Philippe Clement has been explaining Dujon Sterling’s absence from the Rangers squad ahead of the match with St Johnstone.
The Belgian manager claims that whilst Sterling is carrying another injury, something which will raise the nerves of supporters, the problem is not believed to be serious.
It comes with Sterling struggling for consistency in his fitness all season long, the 25-year-old’s campaign impacted by persistent issues.
With Clement claiming Sterling has a ‘blocked nerve’, the Rangers manager has confirmed the defender will see a specialist over the issue.
”Yeah he’s injured in a way,” said Clement when asked about Sterling’s absence by RangersTV. “It’s not a serious injury.
”But he has a blocked nerve (and) because of that he cannot make accelerations so you cannot play football also of course.
”It’s something we will need to solve in the next couple of days with the specialist but it will not be a long-term injury.”
Rangers face right-back injury headache
Rangers are at risk of running into problems at right-back despite having three natural options in the squad.
Philippe Clement had only just begun to phase long-serving captain James Tavernier out of the team before issues in the position flared up.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo has undergone surgery on a ‘longer-term’ injury sustained whilst on Netherlands U21s duties.
With the Feyenoord loanee now out for the foreseeable, the only alternative to Dujon Sterling is James Tavernier and the situation will raise some fears about the Old Firm Premier Sports Cup Final.
With Rangers set to play Celtic at Hampden in a fortnight’s time, Rangers fans will be hoping Sterling’s return from injury is swift.
