Cyriel Dessers is once again dominating a lot of the conversations surrounding Rangers.
The frontman scored another decisive goal yesterday, the only goal of the game to clinch the three points against Hearts.
That was his third in three games and tenth in 20 this season. A one-in-two ratio is not to be sniffed at.
But his recent performances had been coming under the microscope as he continues to frustrate.
Philippe Clement discussed his ‘enigma’ striker post-match and offered up a defence under the criticism he has faced.
Dessers Rangers comments surprising
Some recent comments from Dessers irked fans perhaps even more than his inconsistency on the pitch.
The 29-year-old responded to questions about missed chances by claiming he might not be at Rangers at all if he took all of his opportunities.
Frustrated fans branded the comments ’embarrassing’ and said it was an indication Dessers just doesn’t ‘get it.’
Former Gers defender Alan Hutton says he got the point the Nigerian was trying to make even if saying it publicly was ill-advised.
He said on Premier Sports: “Look, I understand where he’s coming from. I don’t necessarily think it’s something I would say but I do get it.
“I thought Thursday night (against Olympiacos) he had a real good game. I think he gave Carmo and Retsos a real tough night.
“And yes he misses opportunities but he’s more than capable of scoring goals.
“He missed one in the first half (against Motherwell), scored in the second half and it’s a lovely finish. And he’s more than capable of doing that.”
Marvin Bartley had a similar view and added: “In terms of the comments, I was surprised. If you’re a Rangers supporter you don’t want to hear your players saying those sorts of things.
“You want to say ‘score two out of three or three out of three and get yourself the move if you deserve it’.
“We know he’s Rangers’ talisman in terms of he gets a lot of goals for them. But he has to better in front of goal, he’ll know that.
“I think his all-round game suffered. I think he’s now coming back to the forefront of being able to produce for Rangers.
“But I think he had three or four weeks where we wasn’t at his best.”
Clement on Dessers criticism
The manager was asked about the flak his striker receives and unsurprisingly stood behind his player.
And he insists the scrutiny aimed his way is unfair in comparison to other strikers who don’t deliver as much as him.
“He’s an enigma in that way that he gets a lot of criticism about (his finishing),” Clement told Premier Sports.
“And maybe other strikers in the league get much less criticism although they miss less chances and they score less goals.
“That’s something that’s been going on but the most important thing is that he’s not living that life and he’s just giving his best every time for the team.
“And he’s scored already a lot of goals this season.”
