Rangers have been a slow burner this season, an opening day disaster has seen Michael Beale’s side gradually improve but there is no escaping early doubts about Cyriel Dessers.
The 28-year old’s two assists against PSV Eindhoven perfectly demonstrated his technical ability and work rate but, domestically, he needs to start taking chances.
With Kemar Roofe scoring on his first start since April 2022, Rangers now have options and Cyriel Dessers should be looking over his shoulder.
The Nigeria international was clearly not 100% when the games kicked off this season and he has started every game apart from Servette away from home to catch up.
It’s obvious that the Gers boss sees reported £4.5m signing Dessers as his number nine, and not just literally.
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Rangers need Cyriel Dessers to start firing on all cylinders
Rangers like to be able to go long and direct or play through the phases and Cyriel Dessers offers the opportunity to do both.
But, he has to start taking the type of chance that Kemar Roofe put on a plate for him when the score was 0-0.
Roofe has shown that match fitness shouldn’t affect the ability to score goals so, Dessers shouldn’t have any excuse seven games into the season.
Our central striker might be there to press, run the channels and bring others into play, but he is also there to take chances.
It’s not just Roofe that he has breathing down his neck either.
Michael Beale paid a lot of money for Danilo, a deal that could rise to £6m according to reports, so he won’t be sitting on the bench for long if Dessers continues to fire blanks.
With PSV up next, who the manager goes with in the front three could well decide our fate but if Cyriel Dessers wants to buy himself some time, firing us into the Champions League would be a good place to start.