Rangers have been hit with an enormous harm blow to an “immense” participant, following an replace from interim supervisor Barry Ferguson.
Rangers maintain Bilbao in spirited show
The Gers produced a formidable efficiency at Ibrox on Thursday night, drawing 0-0 at residence to Athletic Bilbao within the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
Robin Propper was proven a crimson card with solely 13 minutes performed, giving Rangers an enormous uphill battle, however they held on in the long run, with Liam Kelly saving an Alex Berenguer penalty within the second half, resulting in scenes of pleasure contained in the stadium.
Whereas Ferguson’s facet nonetheless have an enormous quantity of labor to do to make the semi-finals forward of their daunting journey to Bilbao subsequent week, they nonetheless have a good likelihood of progressing.
Nonetheless, one of many few negatives for Rangers on the evening was a serious-looking harm to Dujon Sterling, with the 25-year-old stretchered off, resulting in issues concerning the size of his absence.
Ferguson confirms enormous Rangers harm blow
Chatting with reporters on Friday (through Sky Sports activities), Ferguson confirmed that Rangers defender Sterling suffered a long-term harm in opposition to Bilbao, together with his season undoubtedly over:
“I simply bought a little bit of unhealthy information about Dujon – he’ll be out long-term. He is had a critical one. I am devastated for him for a couple of causes.
“He is are available in and been immense for me on the again. He is had his harm points and now we have to undergo one other prolonged spell on the sidelines, which I am devastated about. We’ll get round him, he is a well-liked member of the dressing room and has been an enormous participant for me.
“We simply must get him again match as rapidly as we are able to. I do not know precisely [how long he will be out for] however I imply long-term. I am no medical knowledgeable, however I’ve spoken to the physician, he’ll go for surgical procedure on Monday and we’ll simply want to attend and see how that surgical procedure goes.”
It is a merciless blow for Sterling, who has been a strong performer since arriving from Chelsea again in 2023, making 70 appearances for Rangers to this point.
This season, the Englishman has made 20 appearances within the Scottish Premiership, whereas Andy Halliday has proven his appreciation for him, saying:
“I’m positive I am sitting right here together with a number of different folks pondering, ‘The place’s Dujon Sterling been all season?’. For me, his two performances since he is come into the crew have been nothing in need of unbelievable.”
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Hopefully, Sterling returns the identical participant as earlier than when he does ultimately return – and at 25, that must be the case – however he can be an enormous loss for Rangers as an efficient squad participant, particularly within the Europa League.
