For once, the week of an Old Firm derby is only about one thing for Rangers, and it isn’t the trip to Parkhead.
A place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League is at stake with a favourable tie against Roma a tantalising prospect.
Barry Ferguson made an inspired tactical change against Fenerbahce to get a positive result and the Rangers squad is as close to full fitness as it has been for three seasons.
With the second leg at Ibrox, the home side has the advantage, especially if Ferguson makes the sort of change that could nullify one of the Turkish side’s main threats.
Rangers’ change to a 5-4-1/5-3-2 formation forced Fenerbahce into wide areas and the substitute appearance of Dujon Sterling was a game changer.
Dujon Sterling stakes claim for Rangers starting place
The versatile defender has rarely had the chance to play in his preferred right-back or right-wing back position, but served a timely reminder of what he brings to the team against Alain Saint-Maximin.
Fenerbahce were turning the screw when Sterling was subbed on and the former Newcastle United winger was the main protagonist.
Not only was he getting behind Rangers’ defence, but he was picking up dangerous positions in the box too.
Sterling’s first touch in another famous Thursday night, was closing Saint-Maximin down and forcing him into losing possession.
For the rest of the game, the French winger was restricted to cutting inside and throwing hopeful crosses into the box, knowing that he couldn’t get past Sterling.
| Minutes | 14 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Ground Duels | 2/2 |
Why Sterling should start against Fenerbahce
If Ferguson keeps the same system, Sterling has to start on the right, despite the Rangers manager being a fan of Ridvan Yilmaz.
Not only would it improve the balance of the team and the attack, but Sterling’s increased physicality and aerial ability would be a huge boost at set-pieces too.
The added benefit of picking a player who Chelsea wanted to keep is that Ferguson would be able to change shape and system mid-game, depending on how things were going.
There shouldn’t be any concerns about the Old Firm game just a few days later, the best players available should be picked for what is now the biggest game of the season.
