Rangers fans have been warned not to write off “samba footballer” Cyriel Dessers by two of the coaches who know the striker best.
The Nigerian international forward has come under repeated criticism this season in an up and down first campaign in Glasgow.
But two of the Belgian-born hitman’s former coaches have spoke glowingly about the under-appreciated talent of the player which is nothing new in Cyriel Dessers’ career.
The comments comes as part of a UEFA interview which was released by Rangers ahead of the Europa League Round of 16 clash against Benfica.
Former coaches back Cyriel Dessers
As Cyriel Dessers went back to his time in the youth set-ups of Belgian football, former coaches Hendrik Swerten and Joseph Biljoos were asked about the striker as a youngster.
Both have spoken glowingly about the now Ibrox forward, who was the competition’s top scorer with 10 goals when Feyenoord reached the Europa Conference League Final v AS Roma in 22.
First, Hendrik Swerten has talked up the 29-year-old’s natural footballing ability and claims the striker plays with a South American spirit which belies his upbringing in a sleepy Belgian town.
“I used to deliver bread to his house,” said Hendrik Swerten, who was Cyriel Dessers’ first coach at provincial Belgian club FC De Zwaluw Vechmaal. “That’s how I got to know little Cyriel.
“I think it’s an exaggeration (to say I taught him the basics). I didn’t need to teach him basic skills because he had them already.
“He had great movement. He’s a samba football player, the way he can turn is just fabulous.”
Jospeh Biljoos is another former Cyriel Dessers coach who speaks in the interview and claims that being “underestimated” is nothing new for a player with characteristic bouncebackability.
“Cyriel’s jourey has been challenging because he’s always been underestimated,” said Joseph Biljoos, who was Dessers’ coach at KSK Tongeren.
“His talents didn’t always receive the praise they deserved. Despite all the setbacks, he’s always managed to bounce back. That’s very typical of his character.”
Rangers striker yet to fully convince fans
Rangers have certainly seen a mixed bag when it comes to Cyriel Dessers this season but it’s clear setbacks haven’t held the striker back in his career.
With the move to Ibrox being the biggest one of the African striker’s career to date, there is huge pressure to deliver at Rangers on a weekly basis.
You can bet that Dessers’ former coaches will be backing the striker to make the grade at Rangers but for the time being the jury is certainly out.
The number 9 jersey weighs heavy at Ibrox and the true test of Cyriel Dessers’ character rests on him becoming a big-game match-winner in Glasgow.
