Is ever there was a player who summed up Rangera’ paradoxical domestic and European form, it’s Cyriel Dessers.
Dessers might’ve missed out on a recall to the Nigeria squad but the 30-year-old hitman is a striker on form and a crucial part of the Rangers squad.
Whilst on domestic duties Cyriel Dessers has bore the brunt of criticism from Rangers fans, something which comes with the territory of the number nine jersey, the big striker has been a reliable player in the Europa League.
Dessers’ stunner at Old Trafford captured imaginations around the globe whilst the striker’s performance v Fenerbahce had Jose Mourinho claiming Dessers looked like the ‘best player in the world’.
But ahead of the Europa League visit of Fenerbahce, Rangers hitman Dessers admits he’s nervous that the club’s domestic shortcomings could come back to haunt them.
Cyriel Dessers fears losing Fenerbahce ‘rhythm’
Rangers have had a full week to prepare for Fenerbahce following the 3-1 victory in Turkey.
But the reality is Rangers fans, and the Ibrox squad, would rather have been playing in the Scottish Cup this weekend.
Rangers crashed out of the competition at the hands of Championship club Queen’s Park in one of the all-time Scottish Cup shocks.
Technically the worst Scottish Cup result in Rangers’ history, this was Philippe Clement’s John Barnes moment and the first time Rangers have ever been beaten at home by a lower league team in the competition.
But whilst the Cup defeat still rankles, Dessers worries that a weekend off might just have upset Rangers’ rhythm amid fears the Queen’s Park defeat could haunt the Ibrox side a little while longer yet.
”That’s hard to say,” Dessers told Sky Sports when asked if a week off might help the Ibrox side.
”I think, I hope, we can show the fresher legs on Thursday but on the other side we’re also used to the rhythm of playing Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday.
”If that was the case that would’ve been a problem or that would’ve been an excuse but yes, let’s hope we can show the fresh legs on Thursday.”
Cyriel Dessers calls on Rangers fans to make Fenerbahce difference
Cyriel Dessers bossed the Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Turkey with the Rangers striker the main man up top against Fenerbahce.
Dessers opened the scoring on the night when the striker rounded the Fenerbahce goalkeeper and narrowly squeezed the ball over the line.
Caglar Soyuncu’s last-ditch defending is set to hurt Fenerbahce with the Turkish international centre-back now injured for the second leg.
How Fenerbahce might’ve used the ex-Leicester star’s experience in Glasgow with the Turks set to visit Britain’s greatest football stadium.
The striker also played in Vaclav Cerny with a wonderful one-two for Rangers’ second goal, whilst Dessers laid the ball off to Nicolas Raskin for the Ibrox side’s third.
Cyriel Dessers has been a part of some big moments at Ibrox and insists the atmosphere can be a game-changer as the team look to reach top gear.
”I think everybody knows how the European nights can be at Ibrox,” Dessers said.
”We’ve had a few already but it’s going to be huge on Thursday, especially against a team like this.
”They have a good atmosphere as well but then to come to our place and see that, that can do something in the game, give us more energy, more power, more confidence.“
If Rangers are to reach the Europa League Quarter-Final, Dessers reckons the Rangers support also have a crucial role to play.
The Gers have now suffered three straight defeats at Ibrox – against Queen’s Park, St Mirren and Motherwell – but Dessers has urged the support to back the team.
”I know it’s tough to ask that from our fans after the last home games we had but we’ll need them,” said Dessers.
“Altogether I think we can do something special on Thursday night but we will need to do it altogether.”
