Dujon Sterling has emerged as a key Rangers player under Philippe Clement
Dujon Sterling has emerged as a key Rangers player under Philippe Clement
Injury Hub

Philippe Clement explains Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell absences from Rangers v Union Berlin

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Dujon Sterling missed Rangers' pre-season draw against Union Berling through injury while Kieran Dowell was "sick", Philippe Clement has revealed.

Neither of the players were listed in the Gers' starting XI or the substitutes bench to face the Bundesliga side in Germany, with the manager admitting that he was expecting to have a full squad.

Sterling suffered a slow start to his career in Scotland, mainly due to injuries, but became a very important member of the squad throughout the season while Dowell underwent surgery in January.

Speaking to RangersTV ahead of the pre-season clash on Saturday (27 July), Clement said: "We had plans with all of the squad but we had to change some things.

"Dujon Sterling had a small muscle problem so we're not going to risk him, and Kieran Dowell is sick so he drops out too."

Rangers suffer absences v Union Berlin in pre-season friendly

Sterling's absence will be the biggest concern, especially with it being for injury-related reasons after struggling to stay fit at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 24-year-old has already been dubbed as a future captain at Ibrox due to his honesty and leadership skills, but fans will be hoping he can improve upon his fitness.

Sterling was often utilised as a handyman last season, being deployed anywhere on the pitch that needed covering and, quite remarkably, he did a fine job each time.

With only eight Scottish Premiership starts last term, he will certainly be wanting more minutes on the pitch and the reports linking James Tavernier away from Ibrox this summer could help towards that.

Dowell, on the other hand, has divided opinion during his time in Scotland, making just 16 appearances since joining from Norwich City last summer, and he cannot afford to be injured again.

In other Rangers news, the Gers want to sign Lyndon Dykes as two top targets are identified at Ibrox.

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