If there is anyone who knows all about criticism from Rangers fans, it’s Kenny Miller.
The former Ibrox striker scored over 100 goals for Rangers across three spells at the club but it wasn’t always fun and games for the hitman.
Miller’s season at Celtic Park has hung over his Rangers legacy and despite returning to be a thorn in our Old Firm rivals’ side, the striker has failed to win back some fans after doing the unthinkable.
Now, the former Scotland international has been launching a staunch defence of Cyriel Dessers after the Rangers striker’s deadly double downed Hearts at Hampden.
Miller: Dessers criticism ‘harsh’
Speaking to Clyde Superscoreboard, Kenny Miller reckons that criticism of Cyriel Dessers has been harsh.
The former Rangers forward also reckons that the 29-year-old hitman ‘probably deserves more credit’ for his all round contribution to the team.
Claiming that Dessers’ Rangers teammates need to adapt to the big man’s style, Miller has also praised the striker’s mentality to keep getting back up despite repeated knocks this season.
“I think some of (the criticism) has been harsh but there’s so much else surrounding the goals,” said Miller.
“The focus has been on the negative stuff rather than actually looking right ok, ‘what does he bring to the team?’
“Well firstly, he has brought a decent level of goals. Yes he’s missed a lot of chances, but everybody misses chances. The Messi’s and Ronaldo’s of this world miss chances.
“As forward players you definitely miss more than you score so it’s maybe a bit unfair because it’s been solely directed at him pretty much since a ball’s been kicked.
“And he’s had to play as well. He’s had to be the guy because everybody else has been injured.
“So he’s had to front it, he’s had to continually put himself out there to be shot at and you know what, he’s not hid away. When he’s fronted the media he’s always done it with a smile on his face.
“So he probably does deserve a little bit more credit.
“And by the way, it’s his first season at a huge football club where the demands and expectations will be nothing like he’s ever experienced before as well.
“However, there’s got to be more involved with everything else that we do see.
“The all-round game, the link-up play. He does work hard, he’s not the quickest, maybe his teammates need to understand how he is as a player and serve him a little bit better.”
| Cyriel Dessers Scottish Premiership stats 23/24 | |
| Appearances (starts) | 30 (22) |
| Goals (xG) | 13 (15.82) |
| Assists (xA) | 3 (2.16) |
| FotMob rating | 7.09 |
| Shots (on target) | 89 (42) |
| Chances created | 36 |
| Touches in opposition box | 187 |
| Possession won final 3rd | 15 |
| Successful passes (accuracy) | 258 (69.5%) |
| Duels won (%) | 67 (31.6%) |
Rangers striker could’ve had even more goals
Kenny Miller has also been praising Cyriel Dessers’ goalscoring contribution to Rangers this season.
Rangers have been crying out for the 20-25 goal striker for a number of years and there’s been big pressure on the striker to deliver this season.
Claiming that the returns speak for themselves – as do some big moments in a Gers shirt – Miller has also suggested that the striker would have even more if he took spot kicks for the Ibrox side.
“Listen he’s scored 19 goals now,” said Miller. “I would say Betis was a big goal away, those two on Sunday were huge.
“A semi-final, it’s the two goals that have put Rangers in a Final and the chance to lift more silverware.
“There’s been so much focus on Cyriel Dessers, pretty much since the first ball was kicked at the start of the season.
“And it was ‘who is going to be the number 9 who’s going to get the 20, 25 goals and shoot the team to glory?’
“Nobody’s really took it and he has been the focus of a lot of criticism.
“In terms of his numbers, his numbers stack up. He’ll probably end up with 22, 23 goal come the end of the season.
“That’s no penalties, because as we know James Tavernier takes the penalties, which is again quite rare that a striker might not be taking penalties.
“His numbers could’ve been boosted with that if he’s been on them.”
Cyriel Dessers joined Rangers on a £5m deal from Italian side Cremonese in the summer and has gone on to score 19 goals and lay on eight assists in 48 games.
