Infectious Enthusiasm: Ferguson Hails 24-Year-Old’s Rangers Passion
Rangers’ rollercoaster European adventure continued on Thursday night with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Benfica in the Europa League. Despite taking the lead twice through Tom Lawrence and a well-deserved strike by Dujon Sterling, controversial refereeing decisions and a touch of misfortune saw the Gers share the spoils in Lisbon.
Clinical Rangers Punish Early Errors
Philippe Clement’s men started brightly, capitalizing on hesitant defending from Benfica. Tom Lawrence rose highest to meet a cross with a powerful header, leaving the Benfica keeper with no chance. The lead was further extended just before halftime thanks to a moment of brilliance from Dujon Sterling. The versatile winger ghosted into the box unmarked and slotted home with ease, a move Ferguson praised as something meticulously worked on by the coaching staff.
Rangers Resolve Tested
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Benfica piled on the pressure. A contentious penalty decision, with John Souttar adjudged to have handled the ball despite heading it onto his own arm, gave the home side a lifeline. Soon after, a Connor Goldson own goal restored parity for Benfica, leaving Rangers with a mountain to climb.
Sterling’s Infectious Enthusiasm Earns Praise
Despite the defensive lapses, Rangers displayed commendable spirit to battle back from a two-goal deficit. However, the standout performer for the Gers was undoubtedly Dujon Sterling. The former Chelsea man’s tireless work rate, infectious enthusiasm, and tactical adaptability drew rave reviews from club legend Barry Ferguson. Ferguson lauded Sterling’s ability to excel in various positions, highlighting his 100% shot accuracy and tackle rate according to FotMob. More importantly, Ferguson emphasized Sterling’s desire to learn and improve, a quality every manager craves in their dressing room.
Looking Ahead
While the result leaves Rangers in a precarious position in the group stage, the fighting spirit and individual brilliance showcased in Lisbon offer promising signs for the future. If Rangers can harness Sterling’s infectious energy and build on their attacking prowess, they have the potential to cause further upsets in Europe. However, they’ll need to tighten up defensively to avoid conceding soft goals that could prove costly in the long run.
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