Sterling criticism down to 'lack of experience'

Rangers defender Dujon Sterling — Dujon Sterling thought Rangers played "like we are not playing for anything"

Scottish Cup semi-final: Rangers v Heart of Midlothian
Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Sunday, 21 April Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra, text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Sportscene highlights on BBC Scotland at 19:15

Philippe Clement has told Dujon Sterling he must become wiser with his words after a withering assessment of Rangers' recent slump in form.

The 24-year-old defender said the team played "like the season is dead" as Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Dundee made it three matches in a row without victory.

His manager feels Sterling needs to learn to be more diplomatic.

Clement thought they were the comments of a player "who maybe lacks a little bit of experience in that way".

Englishman Sterling had claimed "the way we are playing is as if we are not playing for anything".

What to look out for in Scottish Cup semi-finals

He also said "we still have the togetherness, but I don't know if the belief is there" after Rangers squandered a chance to overtake reigning champions Celtic with a weekend defeat by Ross County followed by the draw at Dundee.

As he looked for his side to improve their recent form in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Heart of Midlothian, Clement cited the example of how Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk dissected his side's Europa League exit at the hands of Atalanta on Thursday.

"They are the words of a player who is disappointed because we lost points," the Belgian said. "If I see Virgil van Dijk giving a press interview after the game yesterday, it was totally different and that's the way it should be.

"There are things for young players to learn and to become better at rather than talking out of the frustration."

Sterling, who has made 18 of his 30 Rangers appearances as a substitute since arriving from Chelsea last summer, started at left-back ahead of Borna Barisic against Dundee.

"I know we can count on Dujon the last couple of months on the pitch when he was fit," Clement added.

"That's also not been the case enough for me, but we will work on that with him also."