Rangers star Dujon Sterling has been handed a 12-month driving ban and fined £2,250 after crashing his car while nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit. The 26-year-old defender, who was celebrating a 3-1 Old Firm victory over Celtic just hours earlier, made a costly decision that has now impacted his career and personal life.
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 4, after Sterling had played a key role in Rangers' triumph at Parkhead. Instead of heading home responsibly, he got behind the wheel of his grey Mercedes AMG GLE 63 and was spotted driving erratically through Glasgow city centre. Witnesses saw him lose control and smash into a barrier near the M8 motorway.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, prosecutors revealed that Sterling had 60 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath—nearly three times the legal limit of 22 micrograms. Police officers who arrived at the scene described the footballer as appearing "dazed" and took him into custody until he was sober enough to be released.
CCTV footage showed Sterling driving dangerously through Royal Exchange Square and Queen Street at around 1:13 AM, narrowly missing another vehicle. He initially faced a charge of dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving, along with a separate drink driving offense.
Rangers Football Club had already taken disciplinary action, imposing a temporary driving ban and a financial penalty on their player. Despite the off-field troubles, Sterling returned to action on Monday night, scoring his side's only goal in a 2-1 defeat against Hearts—a reminder of the talent that makes this incident all the more disappointing.
This case serves as a sobering reminder for athletes and fans alike: the thrill of victory should never be followed by reckless decisions. Whether you're a professional footballer or a weekend warrior, always plan a safe way home after celebrating.
