Standards Still Matter at Rangers

Some situations don’t need overthinking. If a player makes a serious error in judgement off the park, there’s no point dressing it up as “a mistake” and moving on like nothing happened. Standards still matter at Rangers, and they should matter even more when you’re a professional who knows you’re in the spotlight.

That’s why I’ve got very little sympathy for Sterling here. If you’re going to carry yourself as a first-team player at a club like this, you don’t get to act like a random lad on a night out. You’re representing something bigger than yourself, whether you like it or not.

No defence, just consequences

The bit that sticks in the throat is how avoidable it all is. Rangers don’t ask for saints. Fans understand players are human, and folk will forgive plenty in football. But when the decision puts people at risk and invites the worst kind of attention, that’s where the sympathy dries up.

And the club can’t just shrug it off either. There has to be a clear response that reflects what Rangers is meant to stand for. Not for the optics. For the principle.

It’s not only on one player

I also don’t think it’s unreasonable to look at the others involved. If Fernandez and Matondo got in the car rather than stopping it, then that deserves a hard look as well. Not because you’re trying to spread blame for the sake of it, but because that’s part of being a teammate and part of being an adult.

Everyone likes to talk about dressing-room culture when things are going well. This is the other side of it. If the group is strong, someone steps in, takes the keys off him, calls a taxi, phones a member of staff, whatever it takes. It’s basic responsibility.

Club punishment, then let the law do its job

For Rangers, the response should be straightforward. A heavy fine. A proper public apology. And a clear internal message that the badge comes with expectations, not just a wage.

After that, the rest should be handled by the law. If there’s a ban and a fine, so be it. That’s the consequence of the choice. And once it’s dealt with, it should be the end of it, because dragging things on endlessly doesn’t help anyone.

But until that happens, fans are right to be angry. Not because we’re looking for a scapegoat, but because Rangers can’t afford to be casual about behaviour that brings negative attention and, more importantly, risks harm. That’s the line.

Written by AyrshireMurphy: 8 January 2026