Ibrox Noise finds ourselves at a little bit of a quandary. The issue, of course, in question is one that is a lot less joyful than many of the topics that we have been covering of late. And that topic is, of course, the dire actions that occurred a number of months ago in the circumstances of Dujon Sterling. Rangers’ in-form defender, who has now staked a claim for a spot and recovered from injury has, of course, been through a very, very serious incident. At the time, Ibrox Noise were 100% against what he had done. There was no defending what he was accused of doing. Dujon Sterling charge begins.
The charge and the reality
However, he has now appeared in court, formally charged with drink driving and dangerous driving. There is no excuse for this and it leaves us in something of a moral quandary. On one hand is the absolutely inexcusable act of drinking and driving. He has, of course, been charged. It is formal and he could well find himself being given a prison sentence. It is unknown yet what, of course, the court case will transpire as, but at the same time, there is no excusing what he did. Drink driving kills people. There is no question of this.
The footballing dilemma
Unfortunately, the other side of things is just how good a player he has been. Dujon Sterling is without any question Rangers’ strongest defender physically, and the joint best that we have at the back at the moment, aside to Tuur Rommens. The fact is that Rangers’ defence has been more settled, especially with the former Chelsea man at the rear guard. But of course there is still no morally getting around what he may have done here. So what does one do. Support Sterling as a Rangers player or condemn him for his dire actions. It is a debate and a moral quandary that has no correct answer.
No defence, no easy answer
There is no excusing drink driving. No one should ever defend it. And if a prison sentence is the outcome, that has to be the outcome. But at the same time, of course, we are Rangers fans who want the best for our team, and he is an exceptional player. This is a very tricky one to manage. We will never defend drink driving, but we also have to look out for the interests of our football team.
Bill Shankly was wrong in saying that football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that. Unfortunately for Mr Shankly, life and death is more important than football, and we have to get our priorities. But then, also, there is the emotional side as a football fan wanting the best for your team. Sterling is part of that. Consequently, it is an impossible debate, but at the end of the day, no one should ever condone drink driving. And if Dujon Sterling charge is to have the book thrown at him, there will be no defending that from us.