Rangers defender Dujon Sterling, who just hours earlier played a starring role in his side’s dramatic Old Firm victory over Celtic, has been arrested and charged with alleged road traffic offences following a car crash in Glasgow. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, January 4, 2026, casting a shadow over what had been a triumphant night for the 26-year-old and his club.
Sterling, who played the full 90 minutes in Rangers’ 3-1 comeback win at Celtic Park, was behind the wheel when his vehicle crashed on West Graham Street, Cowcaddens, at approximately 1:25am. Police Scotland confirmed that no injuries were reported in the one-vehicle collision, and that Sterling was arrested and charged at the scene. He is expected to appear in court at a later date, though the specifics of the alleged offences have not yet been made public.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told reporters: “Around 1:25am on Sunday, 4 January, 2026, police received a report of a one-vehicle crash on West Graham Street, Glasgow. There were no injuries reported. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was arrested and charged in connection with road traffic offences. He’s expected to appear at court at a later date.”
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath, with images circulating online showing a black SUV with significant front-end damage after crashing into metal railings above the M8 motorway. The vehicle’s airbags had deployed, and a section of the safety barrier was left mangled. Despite the dramatic scene, Sterling escaped unscathed.
The incident occurred just hours after Sterling’s standout performance in the Old Firm derby, one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in world football. The defender, who has battled back from a seven-month Achilles injury layoff, was making only his fourth league appearance of the season. Yet, he looked every bit the part, helping Rangers recover from a goal down to stun their city rivals with three unanswered second-half goals.
Celtic had grabbed an early lead through South Korea international Yang Hyun-jun, but Rangers roared back, with Youssef Chermiti netting twice in quick succession and Mikey Moore sealing the win in the 71st minute. The result moved Danny Rohl’s side level on points with Celtic, both now sitting on 38 points, though still trailing league leaders Hearts by six points. For a Rangers side that had trailed by nine points earlier in the campaign, the victory was a major statement—one that has heaped pressure on under-fire Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy, who has now suffered six defeats in his first eight games in charge.
Sterling didn’t shy away from the rivalry’s off-field drama, either. After the final whistle, he took to Instagram to post a Venn diagram image that appeared to troll Nancy. The diagram, which had previously been used by the Celtic manager as his X profile picture, showed two circles labeled ‘things that matter’ and ‘things you can control,’ with an arrow and the caption ‘what you should focus on.’ It was a cheeky dig that didn’t go unnoticed by supporters of either side.
“Sterling wasted no time in rubbing the under-fire coach’s nose in it,” noted talkSPORT, referencing the defender’s post. The move added fuel to the already blazing Old Firm rivalry, and further spotlighted Sterling’s return to form after a long injury layoff. His performance against Celtic was widely hailed as his best of the season, and he was instrumental in helping Rangers claw back parity in the title race.
Sterling’s journey to Ibrox has been anything but straightforward. A product of the Chelsea academy, he made just two first-team appearances for the London club, spending time on loan at Coventry, Wigan, Blackpool, and Stoke before making the permanent move north in 2023. Since joining Rangers, he’s featured 75 times and scored once, also helping the club to lift the Scottish League Cup in 2024. His four-year contract, signed after departing Stoke City, was seen as a statement of intent by the Glasgow giants.
As for the events of Sunday morning, Rangers FC has yet to issue a public comment on the arrest and charges. The club, no stranger to off-field controversies in its storied history, now faces the challenge of managing the fallout while maintaining focus on the tight Premiership title race. The incident also raises questions about player conduct and the pressures faced by top-flight footballers, particularly in the aftermath of high-stakes matches.
For Sterling, the court appearance looms, but so does the opportunity to cement his place in a Rangers side that’s surging at just the right moment. With his Achilles injury behind him and his form returning, the defender will hope that his off-field troubles don’t overshadow what has the makings of a remarkable comeback season.
The Scottish Premiership table, meanwhile, is tighter than ever. With both Rangers and Celtic locked on 38 points and Hearts maintaining a six-point cushion at the summit, every fixture from here on out is set to be a battle. The Old Firm’s latest chapter may have ended in jubilation for Sterling and his teammates, but the story is far from over—on or off the pitch.
As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on both Dujon Sterling and Rangers, watching to see whether the defender’s resurgence will continue or if recent events will cast a longer shadow. For now, though, the club and its fans will be hoping that what happens off the field doesn’t derail the momentum building on it.