One of Rangers biggest problems this season has been the uncertainty over who the best number nine was, Cyriel Dessers has the actual shirt but there remain doubts about his suitability.
Credit where it is due though, under new Gers boss Philippe Clement, he has scored goals and created chances for teammates – although he has missed plenty of opportunities to add to his account too.
If Rangers are to win the league title, they will need Cyriel Dessers to be the very best version of himself and Tom Lawrence has given his verdict on the much-maligned forward.
Rangers tipped to be in safe hands with Cyriel Dessers
On paper, Dessers’ 14 goals and seven assists are a reasonable return from his first season at the club, given that they have come at a combined rate of better than one every 100 minutes.
But, as already stated, it is the collection of goals that he hasn’t scored that is the biggest cause for consternation.
He could, easily, be over 20 goals for the season had he not been so profligate.
Lawrence though, backed Dessers to come good at a time when it matters most to those who pack out Ibrox:
“I think with any striker it’s just about confidence. When you start scoring you’re going to have that confidence and belief in yourself and I think that’s what he’s shown.
“Confidence is just goals. Once you start scoring goals as a striker your confidence just grows and you become like, there’s a bigger presence about you, and I think he’s shown that, I think he’s been brilliant lately.”
Ronald de Boer was right about Cyriel Dessers
When Cyriel Dessers first signed, Ronald de Boer gave a fascinating insight into what we could expect.
It raised an eyebrow or two at the time but now, it makes perfect sense:
“Dessers is a very opportunistic player.
“If he’s not in form, or when the confidence is not there, he’s a very limited player. Then you think, ‘Who the hell did we sign here!
“But when the guy has confidence then you think, ‘Woah! Where is this coming from?’.”
The thing is, Dessers can be like this in a 90 minute match, never mind from month to month or even week to week.
How many times have we seen him score the difficult chance but miss the easy one?
The important thing, is that he is getting into the right position to score goals and, in fairness, he has been a lot more consistent under Philippe Clement.
He’s not perfect and he is under, probably, the most intense pressure of his footballing life.
Lawrence is right though.
I’d say “brilliant” is maybe a bit too strong but there is a confidence to Dessers play that was missing before.
He looks sharper and more physical too.
He’s getting there.
If ever there was a time to hit the sort of form that got De Boer so excited, it’s now.
