Du’s boots are made for talking
PHILIPPE CLEMENT has slapped down Dujon Sterling for branding Rangers performances “s**t” – and told him to do his talking on the park.
The Ibrox gaffer pointed to former Celtic ace Virgil van
Dijk as an example of how to react to adversity after Sterling questioned if his teammates had the hunger to win the title.
Sterling’s scathing assessment came after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Dundee that followed Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Ross County as Gers blew the chance to jump Celtic in the table with five games remaining.
But Clement told the injuryhit defender the real time for talking is on the park.
Experience
“It’s words of a player who’s disappointed because we lost points who maybe lacks a little bit of experience in that way,” he said.
“When I see Virgil van Dijk giving an interview yesterday after the went out in Europe it’s totally different and that’s the way it should be.
“Those are things for young players to learn from. We will work with him on that.
“It’s more talking out of frustration, but I know we can count on Dujon on the field with what he’s done in the last couple of months.”
Clement was criticised by fans in the wake of the Dens draw after claiming his side had “bossed” the game and shown the right reaction to the defeat in Dingwall.
That assessment jarred with angry punters, but the Belgian stood by his remarks as he prepared for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Hearts.
He said: “It was more positive than the Ross County game.
“There were a lot of elements that were much better. You need to also give credit to Dundee with the way they defended and we didn’t give them many chances.
“We’ve had players coming back out of injury the last couple of weeks, we know that story.
“I said at the beginning, it’s impossible if you’ve been out for two months that you are the star in the first game.”
Mohamed Diomande is set to return at Hampden against Hearts but Ridvan Yilmaz remains a huge doubt.
Clement added: It is there, they can do it. They showed it, not only one time to be lucky.
“Yes, my belief is there.”