The story of Cyriel Dessers at Rangers has had more twists and turns that the Nigerian striker could’ve ever predicted.
When the now 29-year-old striker arrived at Ibrox last summer, we’re not sure Cyriel completely knew what he was getting himself in for.
Life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl has taken plenty by surprise before and there are few who come out of it the same person.
Some buckle under the pressure of an expectant Rangers support, whilst others roll their sleeves up and prove they’ve got what it takes.
Cyriel Dessers is setting about embracing the latter.
Fast transforming into a vital part Rangers’ plans this season, Dessers netted a double in the 6-0 rout of Ross County.
Now on five goals for the season, Philippe Clement has explained why he subbed Dessers off before the hitman could make it six at Hampden.
The Rangers manager has also been talking about the support’s relationship with the striker, Cyriel’s role in the squad and the hitman’s transfer value in the wake of several high-profile bids.
Philippe Clement explains Cyriel Dessers substitution
It was a significant day for Rangers against Ross County for a number of reasons.
Whilst the match was taking place at Hampden, it was against the Staggies’ in Dingwall that Rangers’ title tilt collapsed last season.
Cyriel Dessers might’ve got a double in the 6-0 humbling, but it was actually his teammate Rabbi Matondo who stole the headlines.
The winger netted twice himself, with Tom Lawrence and Brazilian striker Danilo completing the scoring.
As Cyriel Dessers came off the bench to replace his returning South American teammate, Philippe Clement had a lengthy word in the Ibrox number nine’s ear.
Asked about it after the game, Clement said he was only explaining to ‘team player’ Dessers why he had denied him the chance of a hat-trick.
“That I want to give Danilo minutes now,” Clement said when asked why he subbed Dessers off. “Because he’s working hard and he’s just coming back from injury.
“That’s also the strong point of Cyriel. He’s a team player.
“You have a lot of strikers who are only busy with themselves and scoring their goals but he’s somebody who genuinely loves also the other players.
“Even his other strikers, like Dani or Hamza (Igamane), he’s giving them also tips in the training for example.
“Cyriel for me, it’s a pity I think we didn’t meet each other when he was younger because he’s still somebody who can make a big evolution although he’s 29.
“He’s understanding now more and more what to do in that role in the football we want to play and he’s getting more and more important in that way.
“Not only by scoring goals but also in a lot of other things that people maybe don’t see but are really important for me also without the ball, but with the ball also.
“He’s getting more and more connection with the rest because it’s repeating things and we’re down that now for months and after a while things become more natural.”
Rangers striker up there with Celtic & Hearts hitmen
As part of that harsh adjustment to life at Rangers, Cyriel Dessers has been open about the abuse he’s suffered at the hands of his own fans.
The striker has had his role to play in supporter frustrations of course, with a series of high profile spurned opportunities leading to big questions over the forward.
When you bear the responsibility of the Rangers ‘number nine’ jersey then you’ve got to have the guts to go out and deliver for the team.
Cyriel Dessers’ progress at Rangers is as much off the park as it is on it with the ex-Feyenoord striker firmly shooting his way into Ibrox hearts.
Asked about the growing relationship with the fans, Clement has repeated the suggestion Dessers is still developing as a striker.
Putting the forward in the same bracket as Celtic hitman Kyogo Furuhashi and Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland, these are the comments of a man who firmly believes that with regards Dessers, the best is still to come.
Clement has also suggested that Cyriel Dessers has been bitten by the Rangers bug and is determined to prove his worth at Ibrox.
”I think he gets a lot of love from our fans,” Clement told Sky Sports. “And he deserves (it).
“I think he gets a lot of love from everybody who’s seen him play the last couple of months.
“And I don’t speak only about this season but also the end of last season.
“For me, Cyriel is one of these guys who are making the right steps. He’s 29 now but he still can learn a lot of things.
“We’ve been working on a lot of things with him and we see that he’s hungry to work on all those details.
“He’s getting better and better as a striker in that way and yeah, he’s a very important striker for Rangers and he’s for sure one of the best in the league.
“How he’s playing now it’s about keeping this desire, where I have no doubts about with him.
“Because it’s somebody that really wants to die for this shirt and wants to give everything, everyday.
“So those are the players who can make good steps in every detail because they’re hungry and it doesn’t matter if you’re 29 or 20, you can always learn.”
Rangers manager on Cyriel Dessers transfer interest
Had you asked a frustrated Rangers support if they’d sell Cyriel Dessers come the end of last season, the answer might’ve been unanimous.
To be fair, it’s the same with several in the Ibrox club’s underperforming squad.
Rangers have quite simply not won enough under the on or off pitch leadership of the club over the last few seasons.
The Gers have gone from Scottish Premiership champions and Europa League finalists to Scottish football’s also-rans, with Old Firm rivals Celtic opening a playing and financial gap that needs bridged and fast.
With successful player trading and Champions League football now in short supply, the budget is tight, the rebuild is huge and Rangers need bodies out before they can bring any fresh blood in in.
Cyriel Dessers is one of few names in the Rangers squad who has been attracting attentions this summer.
There was talk of a bid from Greece earlier in the window, whilst clubs in Saudi Arabia, France and Italy have all been mentioned.
Even Atlanta United reportedly saw a move for Dessers turned down last week.
Inevitably Philippe Clement was asked about the future of Cyriel Dessers and the Rangers manager’s response was clear.
There has been no approach for the striker which is a worthy match for his contribution on the park.
”We talk with the board about if there is a bid for a player,” Clement told the post-match press conference. “If we can let him go or not.
“We can only let players go if for that amount you can find better or you can find two for example, one in the same position and one in another position.
“Otherwise you work backwards, that’s not the idea also.
“So clearly there hasn’t been a bid that was enough to let him go.
“And he’s also somebody who loves to stay. He loves to play for Rangers, he loves the shirt and he wants to die for this shirt. That’s what he’s showing also.”
Cyriel Dessers has five goals and one assist in six games this season, with the striker netting 22 goals in all competitions last campaign.
Rangers reportedly paid relegated Serie A club Cremonese £4.5m to sign Dessers in the summer of 2023.
