Philippe Clement will be glad to see more senior players returning to training as the Rangers boss looks to compete on all fronts.
The squad that has travelled to Greece has been joined by Ridvan Yilmaz and the manager gave an injury update that sees just three players missing for the Light Blues, one of which is Rabbi Matondo who is back in training.
One player who has been the subject of much discussion of late is Dujon Sterling, the natural successor to James Tavernier as Rangers right-back.
Dujon Sterling has a lot to prove for Rangers
Alan Hutton claimed that Sterling was “disinterested” during the win over Motherwell with Michael Stewart suggesting that there was “something going on” between the utility player and Clement.
Even in the pre-Olympiacos training video, Sterling didn’t look too happy and was given the hurry up by coaching staff.
Asked about the former Chelsea academy product, Clement explained why Sterling hadn’t been seen as often as expected despite impressing the manager against Aberdeen:
“I’m not sure that he’s ready now for 90 minutes in games. So that he needs to prove himself the next weeks,” said Clement when asked if Sterling can now play full games.
“He’s been struggling two months with not a big injury, but something that stopped him from really sprinting. He’s not been his normal self, like it was last season.
“Because of that he didn’t have the (fitness) level that he had before. That’s why he played less minutes.
“Working with the medical staff we found a solution how to solve it. It’s solved now. He feels better and that’s why he played better also.
“It’s normal that he will get more minutes if he plays better. Those are the rules in football, in the squad. It’s about proving yourself in the training and in the games when you come in that you’re ready.
“I hope we can get back the Dujon that we saw last season. Because in the beginning of the season he almost didn’t play. I was surprised when I came in the first weeks that he didn’t play.”
Where is Sterling’s best position?
Against Motherwell, Sterling did two things that served as a reminder of what he is capable of.
His first action was a full-tilt overlapping run that created space for Valcav Cerny and the second – that drew a huge, almost sarcastic roar from the Rangers support – was when he gave a Motherwell forward a 10-metre head start before reeling him in to halt a counterattack.
For all that he does a good job in the midfield and on the wing, Chelsea wanted to keep him because of his qualities as a right-back, and that is where he should play.
Clement spoke about phasing Tavernier out and how the skipper won’t play as many games this season.
Not only does he have a player who can do a better job at his disposal, he has one whose inclusion would be hugely popular amongst the support.
