Sterling is arguably enjoying his best run of form at Ibrox since signing from Chelsea in 2023, playing regularly at right-back and mostly injury-free.

Ahead of the William Hill Premiership game against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday evening, centre-back Fernandez, who joined from Peterborough in July 2025, was asked about Sterling and said: “Amazing, there aren’t many right-backs you would want other than Dujon.

“I feel like defensively I don’t think anyone gets past him. He’s got everything – he’s quick, he’s athletic, he can get forward, he can get back, and I feel like playing with him makes my life easier as well, knowing that there’s cover and support next to me.

(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

“Growing up, I used to see him play for Chelsea under-18s and I was thinking, ‘who the hell is that fast guy?’ I also played against him in a pre-season game once so I knew he was very quick.

"Obviously I didn’t really know too much of football up here and how he was doing up here, but I’m glad to have him as a team-mate. He’s an excellent player. As a player, I think you do benefit from pre-season.

"I feel like having that full pre-season period, getting your body up to the standards it needs, is one of the best things. I know some players are different than others, and when they do get injuries, to come back mid-season and trying to get up to 90 minutes can cause other problems.

“Now that he’s had that pre-season and 90s under his belt, he’s going to have better consistency.”