Selecting Rangers’ star performer during the 2-1 Europa League victory over Union Saint Gilloise would almost be like asking Quentin Tarantino to choose a favourite from his array of instant-classics.
Do you go for the blood-and-thunder ferocity of Kill Bill? The meandering easy-viewing of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? Or, perhaps, the revenge-fuelled thrill of Django Unchained?
From a Rangers perspective, do you go for the blood-and-thunder ferocity of Nico Raskin? The meandering easy-viewing of Vaclav Cerny?
Or instead Cyriel Dessers, the striker who struggled in Belgian football with KRC Genk issuing the perfect riposte to those Union Saint Gilloise supporters who spent much of the pre-match build-up scoffing at the perceived threat of a man who managed only 11 goals in 42 appearances at USG’s domestic rivals?
Dessers did not manage to extend his scoring run to a fifth successive game in Rangers colours.
But, while providing the assist for Vaclav Cerny’s decisive strike ten minutes after half-time – the win guarantees Rangers a place in the Europa League last-16 – one of the most divisive figures in the club’s modern history was perhaps only a goal away from his most complete performance yet in that iconic blue shirt.
Belgian press hail Cyriel Dessers as Rangers striker produces Europa League masterclass
Dessers was, to put it simply, nightmare fuel for the USG backline. The Burnley-born centre-half Ross Sykes will have his dreams haunted for some time as Dessers tied him up in knots in the build up to Cerny’s well-taken finish.
Two years after Genk unceremoniously dumped Flemish-born Nigerian at Cremonese, via a loan spell at Feyenoord, if Dessers felt he had a point to prove against Belgian opposition, then prove it he most certainly did.
“Cyriel Dessers was by far the best man on the pitch during Rangers vs Union,” local publication Het Nieuwsblad write in their post-match autopsy, USG consigned to a 21st-place finish and a last-32 tie.
“[Dessers] in particular excelled.”
To quote Voetbal Primeur, Rangers’ number nine played a ‘shining role’ in a win which cemented a top-eight place at the expense of Bodo/Glimt.
Union Saint Gilloise midfielder Noah Sadiki certainly won’t be in any rush to go eyeball-to-eyeball with Dessers again.
Anthony Moris – the goalkeeper who denied the one-time Eredivisie Golden Boot winner from close range at the death – also highlighted Dessers as emblematic of the gulf between the two sides in Glasgow.
“We played well. We created quite a bit. But, if you don’t finish your chances, you can’t win games,” sighs a frustrated Sadiki. “Did I expect Dessers to be so strong? I knew he had a lot of qualities. We spoke to each other during the [half-time] break.
“Too bad for us that he provided an assist today.”
“It’s a shame we couldn’t get a result here in Glasgow,” agrees captain Moris. “The experience of Rangers was the deciding factor. We played with a young team, you can’t forget that. When you see a [man like] Dessers playing on the other side…”
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Dessers delighted to prove his worth against Union Saint Gilloise
Despite the near-constant scrutiny he is subjected to by fans and pundits alike in Scotland, Dessers is now only 24 goals or assists for 2024/25.
To think, only three weeks ago, Rangers opened preliminary talks to sell Cyriel Dessers to one of his many suitors across the continent.
And while there is still time in the window, surely the Gers bosses are done entertaining that idea.
“I already received some messages from friends and family during the day, so of course you want to go for it,” Dessers grins, delighted to do what he never really managed consistently at Genk and dominate a Belgian backline.
“I had to take a lot [of stick], but I was also able to dish it out a few times. It was a fun match.
“I just heard on the pitch that we finished eighth and that we can skip a round. Fantastic! Maybe I should ask the trainer if we can get a few extra days off so that I can go to Belgium again…”
