Dujon Sterling looks set to become a Rangers player in a transfer that makes a lot of sense for Michael Beale.
Trying to cut the wage bill is never easy but, in Dujon Sterling, you have an athletic individual who can play three or four different positions, this makes things a lot easier for the Rangers gaffer.
Rangers won’t be renewing Filip Helander’s contract, Ben Davies might be sold and Borna Barisic is into the last year of his contract.
With one Bosman acquisition, Michael Beale could replace them all.
Not only that, but James Tavernier’s long-term successor could also be about to arrive at the club.
Looking at Dujon Sterling’s highlights reel and one attribute that he will bring to Rangers is immediately clear – he is an absolute machine.
Similar to Calvin Bassey, his recovery pace is outstanding but he appears to have better positional awareness than the Ajax defender.
One v one Sterling also looks impressive, using his strength and mobility to stop attackers similar to the way that Ridvan Yilmaz was so effective against Celtic.
Pace and aggression for a full-back are excellent qualities to have when used correctly.
At the other end of the park, the 23-year old on-loan Chelsea defender is more than capable of delivering quality crosses which means that the skipper might be looking over his shoulder.
It will be interesting to see what the plan is for Dujon Sterling because he will have offers from England, he won’t be coming to Rangers to sit on the bench.
John Brown was Rangers best ever utility man in that Walter Smith would play him as a defensive midfielder, left midfield, left back an as a centre-half in a two or three.
Because of this, he only seemed to be out of the team if he was injured and Sterling’s versatility could see him become a regular.
Rotating at left back, or with John Souttar in the middle and to give James Tavernier recovery time on the other side as his muscles and joints age, seem like the most likely options.
If Rangers can get their money back on Ben Davies at £4m and Borna Barisic at £2m – a reported £6m in total – then bring in Sterling, it would be a great way of freeing up cash for other areas of the team.
The pair, who didn’t play against Celtic, are on a combined £45,000k per week, as reported by Salary Sport, getting that off the wage bill would also be a good bit of business.
Signing Dujon Sterling is exactly the sort of quality and sense that Rangers need this summer.
