Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has singled out one Rangers star for praise after the 2-2 draw with Benfica on Thursday.
Gers take the scoreline back to Ibrox next week after being pegged back twice by the Portuguese giants in the Europa League last 16 first leg tie.
Tom Lawrence headed in the opener and Dujon Sterling stroked home the second for Rangers on the night. Frustratingly, Angel Di Maria’s penalty and Connor Goldson’s own goal levelled things up in Lisbon.
Philippe Clement picked out Fabio Silva as one of the team’s best performers on the night but for Ferguson, he simply had to mention Sterling for his contributions.
The versatile right-back was deployed on the wing and put in a fantastic shift. According to FotMob, Sterling had a 100% shot accuracy and tackle rate while having three touches in the opponent’s box and making five key defensive actions.
His overall performance was rewarded with a goal just before half-time as he ghosted into the Benfica box unmarked – something the Rangers team and staff worked on – and slotted home with ease.
Ferguson, writing in his Daily Record column, remains stunned by Sterling’s energy levels and his enthusiasm for the game. And the ex-Ibrox skipper says he would absolutely love to have shared a dressing room with the former Chelsea man.
Barry Ferguson on penalty and Dujon Sterling
Barry Ferguson began by bemoaning the penalty award against Rangers when, branding the decision ‘baffling’. He then went on to praise Rangers’ resilience and then Sterling’s individual display.
The 44-year-old said: “I must admit, I felt the same myself. Deep down, I was actually a wee bit disappointed that Rangers didn’t win over there. The fact that they lost two painful goals probably didn’t help.
“I mean, if that’s a penalty kick then I’m afraid I now have absolutely no idea what the rules are any more because, quite clearly, John Souttar headed the ball onto his own hand.
“Not only that but, by doing that, he deflected it towards goal when it would have been going out for a corner and forced his own goalkeeper into a first class reaction save.
“On what planet is that given as a penalty for Benfica? But, as Clement said himself, there’s no point crying about it these days because there are baffling decisions being made everywhere you look.
“Connor Goldson’s own goal was a bad one. There’s no other way of putting it. But, again, I give Rangers credit for refusing to crumble or to roll over in the face of adversity.
“And I have to give a special mention to Dujon Sterling who has probably played every position apart from goalkeeper over the last few months.
“His enthusiasm is infectious. His energy levels are ridiculous. And his ability to adapt to different roles in the team has been incredible.
“He doesn’t just cope in whatever position he’s given. He’s excellent at every single one of them and I know, as a team mate, I’d love to have this guy in my dressing room.
“He looks to me as if he’s desperate to learn and just as keen to improve as a player. He’s also an out and out winner and I’ll take that in my team every day of the week.”
