Alan Hutton could only laugh at the state of play surrounding Dujon Sterling at Rangers – after his pundit pal Michael Stewart went off on one about the situation.
Utility man Sterling has been a bit-part player this season having previously been a key presence in the side. Since Philippe Clement’s comments about him ‘not being fit enough’ to start against Malmo, he’s made just two appearances.
But they handed him a new contract earlier this month and something about the situation isn’t sitting right with the pundits. Speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club, Stewart joked that versatile Sterling could even be an option at centre-back before going on: “I just don’t get it. I don’t think he should be playing at centre-back… For me, I think Sterling should be at right-back, but now Kasanwirjo’s getting in ahead of him as well (as Tavernier).
“But the centre of the park then, when you’re looking for a bit of athleticism and presence, with a Sterling in there, they’d have a better balance.”
Hutton agreed with that as he raised the ‘red flag’ that still rankles with him. He said: “The midfield, I think Connor Barron has done well since he’s come in, Diomande has maybe not quite hit the heights that we’ve seen in the past. They need someone with a bit of experience. I know Sterling isn’t an experienced player, but I think that’s what they miss. If you look at the Celtic or Aberdeen midfields, they have experienced players that can control games, and I don’t think we see enough of that from Rangers.
“Sterling, it is an interesting one. I think it was the Malmo game where he played Kasanwirjo ahead of him at left-back, and he said he wasn’t fit enough. That was a big red flag for me. Is he not trying hard enough? Did he have a knock? He’s used sparingly now.”
That’s when host Darrell Currie pointed out that since that game, he’s signed a new contract until 2027. And with a laugh, a bemused Hutton said: “Exactly! Unless they’re trying to protect an asset. Because that’s something they’ve not been great at in previous years.”