Just last week, Philippe Clement feared that a few of his Rangers players – including Vaclav Cerny -had maybe gone beyond ‘the limit’ after an exhausting festive period.
But, just six days after Rangers played out an uninspiring 1-1 draw at Dundee, the Czech Republic winger did not look like a man running on fumes as he raced back, with 97 minutes on the clock, to stop an Aberdeen attack before setting Cyriel Dessers away down the other end.
If Cerny has been the toast if Ibrox in recent weeks, then Dessers more has the vibe of soggy leftovers left in the fridge too long. Or, at least, that appeared to be the view some on the blue side of Glasgow held, Rangers opening preliminary talks about selling Dessers amid very few complaints from large sections of the fanbase.
Even during Dessers’ best days in Scotland, the striker has had a tendency to frustrate. For every chance he puts away, there will be three or four occasions when he stumbles over his own feet, tries on touch too many, or blazes high and wide into the stands.
And as Dessers span away just inside the Aberdeen half, with a defender and a goalkeeper still to beat, his detractors would have been ready to air those oh-so familiar grievances once again.
But not this time. This time, Dessers would shift the ball confidently and decisively onto his left foot before curling home, Philippe Clement’s Rangers cruising past Aberdeen 3-0 with Hamza Igamane and Leon Balogun joining him on the scoresheet.
Kris Boyd praises Cyriel Dessers as rumours swirl around Rangers striker
“In front of goal, you think ‘just put it in the net!’. He [often] seems to take a touch or blast it over the bar,” Kris Boyd, a far more reliable goalscorer in his own Rangers days, said at full-time.
“[But] he was in full control for that one there. It’s good for Rangers and it’s good for Dessers.”
Could this be the Nigerian’s final goal in Gers colours? Could it be his final appearance?
Answers to both questions will come in time. For now, Dessers remains a Rangers player despite reports linking the 30-year-old with moves to France, Italy, America and even Spain.
Boyd would understand if Dessers felt the need for a fresh start. In the blinking of an eye, the one-time Eredivisie Golden Boot winner has gone from first-choice to third in Clement’s pecking order. He has been restricted to cameo appearances in each of his last seven Premiership appearances.
Yet, Boyd sees no reason why Rangers should be rushing to cash in mid-season. Unless, of course, they have an upgrade lined-up to replace him.
Boyd feels Rangers may be better of keeping Dessers at Ibrox
“He’s obviously been linked with moves away in January but that will do his confidence the world of good because Igamane is starting games and scoring goals. Danilo has jumped ahead of Dessers,” Boyd explains.
“When you look at Cyriel Dessers, he’s went form being first-choice to now third. There’s no getting away from it. When you find yourself third-choice… He’s at an age where he will want to be playing football.
“We know Rangers will want to get the money in to maybe strengthen another position [but] you can’t leave yourself short on strikers though.
“I don’t know [if they should sell Dessers]. It’s a conundrum, that one. He doesn’t seem to be one with a bad attitude. Sometimes, if you have been a first-team regular and you find yourself out of the team, you spit your dummy out.
“But he’s come on, he’s got himself a goal. I don’t know, if there’s a decent offer…”
Chris Sutton, the Celtic icon watching on alongside Boyd, feels that Dessers is more likely to stay than not. He may be a back-up these days, but it’s a long, gruelling season and there are many more games to come.
“I don’t think Philippe Clement will be in a rush to get him out of the door,” Sutton feels.
