New Rangers signing Dujon Sterling sends ‘really important’ warning to James Tavernier
New Rangers signing Dujon Sterling has sent a warning to fellow right-back James Tavernier following the former’s arrival at Ibrox.
Sterling, who has joined the Gers on a four-year deal from Chelsea, spent last season on loan in the Championship at Stoke City.
And he is now raring to go at his new club, where he is expected to provide competition for places at right-back alongside captain Tavernier.
“It is about competing together but I am not just tied down to one role,” said Sterling, as quoted by The Herald. “I can play many roles so I don’t fear Tav being the captain, it is about competition.
“You need competition all over the pitch, that’s how everyone will get better. No one slips up, that’s how you stay a winning team and you need that the whole season, plus there is more than one game per week.
“I like to prioritise my defending. It is really important. A lot of defenders now, right-backs, left-backs, they get judged on their stats up the pitch but defensively they are not great.”
Excellent versatility
Sterling has proven his superb versatility in his brief career so far, with the 23-year-old playing in both full-back roles and indeed in both wide midfield roles during his loan spell at the Potters.
Such versatility is a fantastic trait in the modern game, with that characteristic definitely one of the main reasons why Michael Beale brought the player to Ibrox.
The manager knows the player well from their time together at Chelsea, which could serve as another reminder to Tavernier that his number one spot isn’t exactly safe for next season.
The captain goes into the new campaign off the back of another fantastic individual season, but once again it is his attacking feats that have outshone his defensive ones.
There can be no complaints about his attacking abilities, but Tavernier has had many critics about his liabilities at the back.
In an ideal world, Beale may even play the duo together, with Sterling able to focus on defence and Tavernier able to express himself going forward.
In other Rangers news, one Gers star has sent a one-word message to a player after a big-money Premier League development was confirmed.