Dujon Sterling Likely to Miss Falkirk Trip as Rangers Squad Strengthens

Dujon Sterling has been tipped to miss Rangers’ trip to Falkirk, with former Ibrox forward Greg Stewart predicting the defender will be left out on the artificial surface.

Rangers head into the tie with a refreshed squad and a manager spoiled for choice. A busy summer has armed Derek McInnes with depth across the pitch and a cluster of players fighting to turn cameos into permanent starting roles.

Among them are Ross McCrorie and Kosta Nedeljkovic. Both arrived at Ibrox in the summer. Both need minutes. Falkirk away, on plastic, could be their opening.

Stewart questions Sterling’s involvement on astro

Speaking alongside Ian Durrant on the 5 Stars Podcast, Stewart homed in on the Falkirk pitch as a key factor in team selection.

“Astro turf as well, it always comes into play. So, it'll be interesting to see how the new boys, that are not used to it, take to it,” he said. “I don't think Sterling will play well because of that.”

Those comments throw fresh intrigue over McInnes’ backline. If Sterling is indeed held back, Rangers have ready-made alternatives desperate to seize any opportunity.

McCrorie, back at Rangers after a previous spell away, brings Premiership experience and the sort of versatility managers lean on in long seasons. So far, though, his limited minutes have underwhelmed. A start at Falkirk would give him a clean slate and a chance to show he belongs in McInnes’ first-choice plans.

Nedeljkovic, on loan from Aston Villa, is the other obvious contender. Still bedding into Scottish football and learning his teammates, he offers McInnes another option as he works towards a settled defensive combination. A strong showing on a tricky surface would accelerate that process.

The stakes are clear. One selection call, one performance, could shift the pecking order for weeks.

Durrant expects McInnes to trust core after strong display

While Stewart flagged the pitch and personnel questions, Durrant believes McInnes will resist the temptation to rip things up after Rangers’ recent display.

“I don't think he'll tinker too much, I think. After that result and how well they played, and how well they battled,” Durrant said.

“They all like to play a brand of football, which I think will suit Rangers. They always like to be on the front foot, they knock it about.

“I'm sure Rangers now, if they're on their A game, they can pick them off.”

So the dilemma is set: continuity versus opportunity. Keep faith with a winning side, or rotate just enough to manage risk on the astro and keep the squad engaged?

Falkirk pitch adds edge to selection gamble

Falkirk’s artificial surface remains an awkward outlier in the Premiership. The club were granted a grace period to replace it after winning promotion the season before last, and they now stand alone in the top flight with an astro pitch after Kilmarnock’s return to grass and Livingston’s relegation.

That uniqueness sharpens every selection debate. Some players handle it. Some don’t. Some are protected from it entirely.

If Stewart’s prediction on Sterling proves accurate, the door swings open for McCrorie or Nedeljkovic to step through and plant a flag in McInnes’ thinking.

On a night when the surface will dominate the talking points, which Rangers defender turns it into their stage?