Dujon Sterling on Rangers midfield role, title race and Benfica draw

Dujon Sterling has been speaking ahead of Rangers' Premiership clash with Hearts at Ibrox.

Here is everything he had to say.

What do you make of the European draw?

It's a good tie to look forward to but we've still got three league games before that so that's the main focus at the minute.

How big a part was European football in making you sign for Rangers?

It was a massive part. Everyone wants to play in Europe. For me, I just wanted to be involved in that as well and raise my game to another level like I've done before. I've enjoyed the run that we've been on and hopefully, we can progress to the next round after.

How do you balance the European run with domestic action?

It's just taking it game by game and just trying to rest, recover, repeat and keep on what we've been doing so far.

Is it promising that the standard is really high no matter who you're playing?

That's what you have a squad for. You have to be able to trust everyone in the squad. To be fair to us, we actually have a good squad. You can see by the results it's not really impacting us having three games a week and we've been doing it since the start of the season really so nothing changes now.

How do you assess the challenge of staying at the top of the table?

We just keep doing what we've been doing when we were chasing but obviously, now we're the ones at the top. We still look and focus on Rangers, it's all about us.

The challenge of the next two games?

We've played Hearts three times this season and we've beat them three times so hopefully, that continues again tomorrow and we'll worry about Kilmarnock after we get the job done tomorrow.

You've played in different positions, how do you feel you've adapted to that?

I'm just happy to be on the pitch. Whatever the gaffer needs from me for the team, that's what I'm willing to do. For me, it's just normal.

Was it frustrating when you were suspended?

I thought the red card was harsh but it's not in my control, it's up to the ref and the SPFL. But now that I'm back I'm just trying to make a positive impact like I did at the weekend so hopefully, again tomorrow it continues.

Do you feel like you need an explanation of what players can and can't do?

Watching it back, I can see why they think it's dangerous but you can see I clearly slipped and I've only touched his toe and I haven't touched his ankle. But we move on, it's been done and there's nothing we can do. I've taken the two-game ban and now I'm just looking forward to the rest of the season.

Will it affect the way you tackle in the future?

Not really. I'll still go in and try and win the ball 100 percent. If I catch him, I catch him and if I don't, I don't. It's just trying to balance it out and hopefully, next time not slipping.

READ MORE: Inside Dujon Sterling's midfield move: Clement's solutions and a platform to shine

What has the last few months been like playing in different positions after a frustrating start?

The first couple of months were difficult. With the change of manager, when he first came in he spoke to me and told me he had full belief in me and my abilities. I had a setback because I had a little problem with my eye which he gave me time to get it sorted and for it to settle down which was really good. Circumstances helped me get into the team and since then I just made it my number one objective not to come out the team and to just keep my shirt.

How different is it to play midfield and other positions compared to right back?

The first time I came on in midfield was the first time I ever done it so it was just learning as I go. Since then, I just put it in my mind and also with the gaffer speaking to me, I've learned these four or five positions because each game it could change where I play. Each day I've been working on what to do in this position and taking notes and keep learning.

Are you having to take on double work with having to play different positions?

No, it's fine. I've got a lot of time to study and learn plus I've got players in training who I can also watch as well. For example, when I was playing in midfield I just watched Lunny who's a prime example in our team.

Is that key, taking something from each player?

And just adapting to my style. I bring something different to what the rest of the midfielders bring. Throughout the team, we have a good balance so everything's been fine.

What's made you adapt so well?

I just think it's the way I've been coached and brought up. At Chelsea, you don't play in one position, you get taught to play in every single position. Every game you could play in a different position so it's just about learning that. I was at Chelsea since I was six until last summer so that's 16/18 years of developing and learning.

Do you have a preference of where you'd like to play?

I'd say now, probably midfield because it's the most I've been playing there but I'm just happy doing what needs to be done for the team.

Would you accept it's a different sort of pressure on you now that you're in front?

Not really. I still think the fans are behind us and they all believe in us. You can see everyone's spirits are so high that it only affects the team as well and helps us keep getting the results. Sometimes it's not pretty like last weekend but it gets the job done, it's three points at the end of the day.