Rangers boss Michael Beale has admitted that striker Cyriel Dessers is ‘below the level’ he would ideally want at Ibrox.
Michael Beale is a man under immense pressure with Rangers falling to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Aberdeen.
Stefan Gartenmann fired the Dons ahead before Jamie McGrath made it 2-0 to the visitors.
Scott Wright’s red card pretty much ended Rangers’ hopes and whilst Abdallah Sima did pull one back, Aberdeen sealed their 3-1 win with Jack McKenzie’s goal.
This was a bleak day for Rangers and fans weren’t shy in letting Beale know that this just isn’t good enough.
Rangers are already seven points behind Celtic with just seven games played and Beale looks like a man on the brink.
Cyriel Dessers struggling for Rangers
A key factor here is that Rangers’ summer investment just isn’t paying dividends.
Too many of Beale’s additions just aren’t performing and nobody quite sums that up more than Cyriel Dessers.
Rangers paid considerable money to sign Dessers from Salernitana over the summer.
The Nigerian striker had scored goals for a number of clubs and Beale pushed for Rangers to sign him, excepting immediate goals from an experienced striker.
Dessers has notched three goals and three assists in 13 games, which isn’t a dreadful record, but his performances have been poor.
Rangers had a golden chance inside the first three minutes against Aberdeen as James Tavernier played Dessers in on goal.
Dessers seemed to lose all composure though and ballooned his shot well over the crossbar.
Dessers was substituted in the second half with Rangers fans ultimately left wondering just why Beale spent so much money on him.
Beale was asked about Dessers after the game, telling Rangers Review that the striker simply isn’t in the best form of his career.
Beale added that Dessers has proven himself before but is ‘below the level’ at Rangers right now, with the Gers needing much more up top.
“He’s not living in the best moment of his career,” said Beale. “He has twice been top scorer in Eredivisie and top scorer in the Conference League at Feyenoord but he’s found it difficult. I’m sure given time he will show his quality but it’s fair he’s below the level he’d like to be,” he added.
Dessers will be needed amid Kemar Roofe injury
Sadly for Rangers, Kemar Roofe is injured once again and Danilo remains out with a head injury.
Beale isn’t exactly blessed with striking options right now and that means Dessers may well be needed to lead the line.
The hope is that Rangers will eventually play himself into form and turn the corner with regular playing time.
Rangers fans will be sceptical of that right now, with Dessers yet to convince much of the fanbase nearly two months into the season.
