Barry Ferguson shares Dujon Sterling team news verdict for Rangers clash v Greenock Morton
Barry Ferguson has called on Michael Beale to give right-back Dujon Sterling more of an opportunity to prove what he is capable of in Rangers’ cup clash with Greenock Morton.
The 23-year-old, who joined the Gers on a four-deal deal from Chelsea in July, has featured as a late substitute in two of his side’s matches this season.
Former Rangers midfielder Ferguson believes Beale should give Sterling more minutes in Saturday’s [19 August] Scottish League Cup second-round tie at Ibrox.
Ferguson said in his Daily Record column on Friday [18 August]: “Of all the summer recruits, Sterling is the one we’ve hardly seen.
“He came off the bench again [against Servette] and he certainly looks like a guy who is ready to make a mark.
“I’d like to see more of him against Morton this weekend because he gives Beale the option of pushing James Tavernier further up the pitch, which might be in the manager’s mind for certain games this season.”
Tough competition
Sterling arrived in Glasgow with a big reputation following his time with Chelsea, but he has totalled just 15 minutes on the field across the Gers’ four competitive games this campaign.
That is very limited time to make any sort of impact, though he has clearly caught the eye of Ferguson in his cameos against Livingston and Servette.
The former England U20 international is not exactly a player who lacks experience, having started 53 games in the English Championship on loan with Wigan Athletic, Blackpool and most recently Stoke City, as well as playing 38 times for Coventry City in League One.
Sterling will find it difficult to dislodge key man Tavernier at right-back but, as highlighted by Ferguson, Beale could always field the latter in a more advanced position.
If that is to be the case, Sterling needs to be given as many minutes as possible in fixtures such as this weekend’s against Greenock, in which the Gers are strong favourites to come out on top.
As Beale said upon Sterling’s arrival earlier in the summer, he is “a very powerful and strong defender, who has fantastic attacking qualities”.
Now is surely time for Beale to let Sterling show supporters exactly what he is capable of.
In other Rangers news, Beale’s side are reportedly lining up a move for another English defender.