Dujon Sterling can emulate Calvin Bassey at Rangers after new transfer
With the signing of Dujon Sterling, Rangers have acquired a player who is ready to make a sustained impact following a solid grounding in the English Championship with Stoke City and Blackpool.
That experience followed spells at Wigan Athletic and Coventry City resulting in over 100 first-team appearances for the 23-year-old. He is tried and tested at senior level, which should work well in Rangers’ favour.
As expected of a Michael Beale player, he is flexible and can cover multiple roles. He can use both feet, meaning he is strong inside and out, and he will be utilised across the backline.
It is easy to see why some comparisons have been made to Calvin Bassey and Sterling can make a similar impact at Rangers.
Whilst the Chelsea youth product is primarily a right-back, he can also play at left-back and is adept in central defence with the ability to underlap. He will give Beale the option to play three at the back, in what is a very likely proposition at different points next season.
The player’s strengths were outlined in greater detail, in this feature piece by Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review.
A relatively two-footed, versatile defender who spent much of his youth career playing higher up the wing, Sterling fits Beale’s desired quota of hybrid players,” he said.
“Although more comfortable striking and passing the ball with his right, his left foot is also strong.
“With a dominant physical profile, Sterling’s impressive technique carrying the ball compliments his traits out of possession.”
A fast, physical, ball carrier – yes, please.
He may have been a free transfer but this is a signing that should excite the Rangers fans due to the significant potential for further improvement that he possesses.
Sterling will need to come in and start all over again, at Ibrox, but he won’t be fazed.
He has already stated that he was lured by Beale’s vision, that playing in Europe for the club and having a place to properly call home were big attractions in making the move to Glasgow.
The progress of Bassey and Joe Aribo will have been noticed and although they haven’t kicked on after their multi-million moves from Ibrox, the opportunity for success and the pathway is clear.
This is a player who is ready and capable to shine in the south side of Glasgow.
In other Rangers news, France is the likeliest destination with another Ibrox exit on the cards, according to this report.