Rangers progress to the final of the Premier Sports Cup final could have been a lot smoother if Cyriel Dessers had the right boots on from the first whistle.
The Light Blues No.9 obviously changed them at the break to get his side back in the game but not before he had missed a couple of glorious chances to get on the scoresheet for the Ibrox outfit.
With Danilo back in the squad, Rangers manager Philippe Clement will soon have a decision to make, however, Dessers was hard done to at Hampden, according to the Behind the Whistles podcast.
Rangers could have had first half penalty for foul on Cyriel Dessers
Former elite level UEFA and SPFL referees, Des Roache and Steve Conroy, are the officials behind the pod and regularly comment on controversial decisions in Scottish football.
Due mainly to Rangers fans not being conspiracy theorists, the lack of outrage over the challenge on Dessers when he was presented with an open goal isn’t a surprise, but it is still one that could have made a difference on the stroke of half-time.
When asked by a Rangers fan why there wasn’t a VAR check on the incident that saw Dessers receive treatment, the Behind the Whistles pod replied:
“Yup seen them given. Can only conclude they felt the challenge never affected the shot so no disadvantage with the strike going wide.
“But certainly looked worthy of another look. Going to come down to the conversation between the VAR and Nick on how he saw it.
“Ultimately if he says Dessers got the shot off without interference that he’s happy then that’s going to be an end of it as He’s seen it and made a decision so no C&O error.
“Wullie (Collum) did say previously there would be higher threshold for interventions this season so perhaps they are following his instructions.”
Basically, if a striker gets a shot away, the defenders can just clatter into them, late and with no intention of getting the ball?
When you consider the penalties given against John Souttar recently, it doesn’t make much sense.
Why Dessers is on borrowed time in Rangers starting XI
In the first half, Cyriel Dessers had three glorious opportunities to either score or create an opening, and blew them all.
The ‘absolute sitter’ shown above is the best where he didn’t even hit the side netting with the goal gaping, but one where Jefte played him clean through is another when he dragged his effort wide.
Recently though, the biggest gripe has been his build up and link play. Given a 2v1 chance on the counter-attack, Dessers could either drive at the last man and then play in Nedim Bajrami or, play him early then support.
Instead, he gave the ball away, straight to the defender.
For Rangers winning goal, the movement of Danilo perfectly demonstrated the difference in the pair.
Rather than running in a straight line, the Brazilian took three defenders out the game by running across them, creating the space for Bajrami.
A moment of quality that Rangers haven’t seen from Dessers for some time.
