Rangers got the job done against Union Saint-Gilloise to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.
Okay, it wasn’t as comfortable as it could have been after allowing the Belgians to pull a cheap one back, but a win was what was required to finish in the top eight and that’s what happened.
And it is an achievement that not many gave Gers a chance of pulling off at the start of the campaign.
Despite an uncertain few months, Cyriel Dessers has excelled in recent weeks and is playing some of his best football since coming to Scotland.
He was handed a start on Thursday and Rangers fans were delighted with Dessers’ display as he led the line and provided a brilliant assist for Vaclav Cerny.
And it wasn’t just supporters who were bigging him up.
The Belgian press picked out the Rangers striker as the best player on the pitch, while USG’s captain Anthony Moris had words of praise for him too.
Philippe Clement was thrilled too and insisted Dessers had proved his doubters wrong.
The Nigerian has always been an enigma while at Ibrox and has his detractors despite his goal record, which is what his manager was referencing.
But Ally McCoist insists Dessers has a trait no-one else on the planet possesses as he waxed lyrical about his performance.
The words of praise for the exit-linked 30-year-old keep coming.
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Ferguson hails Cyriel Dessers and Nico Raskin
Barry Ferguson is another who is of the opinion Dessers had his best game in a Rangers shirt on Thursday night.
But he thinks Nico Raskin was even better.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Ferguson said: “Clement had to rejig things, moving James Tavernier to centre-half, bringing Leon King in for his first start of the season and then asking winger Ross McCausland to cover at right-back when King went off concussed.
“Hamza Igamane did a turn for the team off the left wing too while Cyriel Dessers put in one of, if not his best ever, performances in a blue jersey up front. It was a true team display from a squad down to the bare bones and they got the win they needed which, along with a little help from elsewhere, booked their place in the top eight.
“Dessers has certainly hit a purple patch of form. He had scored six goals in his four previous games but Thursday night was as good as I can remember him performing outside the box.
“His hold-up and link play was immaculate and his assist for Cerny’s winner deserves huge praise. But for me, the best of the bunch was wee Nico Raskin.
“The little Belgian has had some difficult moments since moving to Glasgow and I admit I did struggle to see what all the hype was about following his move from Standard Liege. But I think we can now all see why Michael Beale was so keen to sign him a couple of years ago. He’s been terrific since returning to the team after a spell out injured.
“He was everywhere the other night, racing to cover gaps and nicking into tackles. And his header was inch perfect to give Rangers the lead.”
Fegie had a word also for James Tavernier and added: “A special mention also has to go to James Tavernier. He’s also had his critics this season but I still believe he has so much to offer this team.”
What is the latest on Cyriel Dessers’ Ranges future?
It was thought Dessers could leave Rangers in the January transfer window as Clement seemingly began to prefer Danilo and Hamza Igamane.
But the way he has been performing, the number nine was far from a surprise inclusion in the XI to face USG.
And you would imagine Gers would love to hold on to him for the rest of the season the way he is currently playing.
French side Saint-Étienne, La Liga outfit Leganes and Italian duo Cagliari and Empoli area all said to have been interest in the former Cremonese man.
And Empoli chiefs have now admitted to needing a striker before the deadline in the latest twist over Dessers’ future.
