Rangers defender Leon Balogun has urged striker Cyriel Dessers to reward himself more after a matchwinning contribution in the victory over Hearts.
Cyriel Dessers scored the only goal of the game as Rangers ran out 1-0 winners over the Jambos to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership.
It was Dessers’ third goal in as many games and his tenth of the season in total, with the strike coming amid continuing criticism over a raft of missed chances.
Speaking come full-time, fellow Nigerian internationalist Leon Balogun has leapt to the defence of his teammate and insists Cyriel Dessers is giving his all to Rangers
Leon Balogun defends Cyriel Dessers
“We need him up there,” Balogun told RangersTV when asked about Cyriel Dessers.
“I just wish sometimes just for himself that he would reward himself more.
“Obviously everybody would benefit off of that but he’s really trying.
“I am pleased for him to score three on the bounce. That’s good for himself, for his confidence, and hopefully he picks up even better.”
Rangers defender explains being benched
Leon Balogun was also recalled to the starting line up for Rangers v Hearts after being dropped for Robin Propper for the Europa League trip to Olympiacos.
Explaining that the decision came after Balogun had started the last three domestic matches on the bounce, Leon is pleased with how the last few weeks have gone.
The 36-year-old defender is one of the veterans of Rangers’ young squad and insists he’s enjoying just being back in the starting XI after a short absence.
”(The last few weeks have been) challenging as well,” said Balogun.
“I am used to it but then again I came off the back of not playing for two months and then four games in ten days.
“I’m not complaining but obviously it takes its toll and you have to be managed really well which is why the breather on Thursday came quite handy even though I wanted to play.
“Overall I’m really happy. Some good performances there, not just myself personally but the whole team.
“I’m enjoying being back in the team.”
