Alex Neil wowed by ‘excellent’ Dujon Sterling as Rangers transfer verdict dropped
Stoke City boss Alex Neil has delivered a glowing reference on Rangers’ summer signing Dujon Sterling and admitted he was “desperate” for him to return to Staffordshire.
Sterling arrived on a Bosman transfer at the end of May to provide competition for James Tavernier at right back.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Record, Neil admitted has was keen to re-sign the former Chelsea man after an impressive loan spell last season.
“Dujon will do really well in Scottish football. Athletically, he’s excellent in terms of his strength and his legs. Defensively, one against one, he’s as good as any player I’ve ever had. When he’s defending directly against someone, he’s terrific at it,” said Neil (Daily Record, 25 June).
“We were desperate to keep Dujon here for next season if we had the chance. Financially, we couldn’t compete with Rangers but I’d have taken him all day long.”
Excellent
Sterling could prove to be one of the under-the-radar additions that goes to be a fan favourite.
He’s in the prime of his career and has excellent down south. It will be intriguing to see how Beale handles the former Chelsea man.
Sterling has moved to Ibrox to play matches but there’s the clear and very large obstacle of James Tavernier to overcome. Rangers’ skipper has been a mainstay of the starting XI and is highly unlikely to be dislodged from Beale’s plans.
Therefore a change of shape is probably on the cards. Sterling’s pace and power have to be utilised in an attacking sense, so potentially playing him in a more advanced role will be the route to go down.
Rangers fans will be delighted with the early business that’s taken place. Four new recruits have already been signed and it feels as if more could be on the way in the coming weeks.
With Brendan Rodgers back at Celtic, Beale’s transfer activity cannot let up. The board have to make sure they back their man and add more quality before the window slams shut.
In other Rangers news, big implications could be set after new boardroom twist at Ibrox