James Tavernier set to leave Ibrox as Rangers to install outstanding replacement in his place
Derek Ferguson believes it is the "perfect time" for James Tavernier to leave Rangers and hand over the reins at right-back to Dujon Sterling.
The Ibrox captain is a target for former managers Steven Gerrard [Daily Record, 24 May] and Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Al-Ettifaq and Besiktas [Sozcu, 9 June] respectively, and is said to have already agreed personal terms with the former according to The Gallant Few Podcast on 19 June.
Former Light Blues midfielder Ferguson is in support of the 32-year-old defender cashing in to end his career in the Middle East and is under no illusions as to who he wants to fill the gap that is left behind as he feels Sterling would be "outstanding" there.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: "We've got a ready-made replacement for Tavernier in Sterling.
"A lot of Rangers fans keep saying to me, 'Oh we need to get him in the middle of the park, that's his best position'.
"No, for me, I think he'd be outstanding in a position that he knows pretty well when he was on loan at Stoke City.
"I just think it's the perfect time for Tav to go, with our praise, earn a few bob, and get Sterling in that position."
Dujon Sterling ready to step up for Philippe Clement at Rangers
Sterling was signed as a right-back from Chelsea a year ago but barely got a chance to operate in that position as Tavernier was again one of the few at Ibrox not to be effected by injuries last term.
The 24-year-old became the man for all occasions under Philippe Clement, impressing in central midfield and putting in solid performances at left-back, as a right winger, and even at centre-back as players were unavailable throughout the squad.
Since Nathan Patterson left for Everton the right-back spot has been Tavernier full stop, with the previous back-up brought in before Sterling, Mateusz Zukowski, making a grand total of one cup appearance before leaving again.
But Sterling had his own issues with injury last season so Clement will need to have a contingency plan.
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