We’ve alluded to this a few times, but the biggest shock in Poland last night wasn’t Rangers’ punchy performance, it wasn’t the hard work, it wasn’t Philippe Clement mostly nailing the tactics…

It was finally seeing Dujon Sterling back in his best position when he replaced Connor Barron on 71 minutes.

In defensive midfield.

Yes, Ibrox Noise has been screaming from the rooftops for months for Sterling to regain his slot in the middle, rather than being wasted in every single position on the pitch aside that one.

To be clear – Sterling is pretty much an average player in every other slot. He was ‘raised’ in central defensive (right) midfield at Chelsea youth where he shone but for some unknown reason was shunted out at RB for his loans (Stoke, Blackpool, Coventry and Wigan) and he simply didn’t sparkle.

It’s why his career was nowhere till Rangers signed him – in fairness a shrewd addition there from Michael Beale, even if he never actually used the lad either in his correct slot or…well… at all.

But that fateful day at Hampden Philippe Clement decided to try Sterling in midfield v Celtic and he shone, and played a few more matches there, finally looking like Rangers had a proper strong lad in there who could really graft but with quality.

Before Clement swiftly started using him as a bonkers utility player all over the pitch, and his effectiveness absolutely weaned.

Last night’s return to midfield, in this case partnering the slightly struggling Mohamed Diomande, was a welcome sight.

Clement has finally ‘addressed’ our fears on Ibrox Noise that he’d never use Sterling in that position again, and we’d love to see a Sterling Barron partnership going forward – unfortunately Diomande is a clear favourite and will keep starting we’d imagine. Dio and Barron will be the pairing going forward.

But maybe Clement will surprise us – maybe Sterling will start more in midfield now.

Let’s face it, Rangers need a strong enforcer in there – Barron is a great wee player so far but we’re not sure he can knock Gollum down, while Sterling clearly does have that power.

Time will tell seeing what role Sterling takes up this season, but we really hope it’s in midfield.

Anywhere else is just a waste.