Tom Lawrence was never in doubt about Cyriel Dessers’ ‘quality’ with the now-free-scoring Rangers striker silencing his critics and inspiring Philippe Clement’s charge towards the Scottish Premiership title.
After scoring only five goals in his first 18 Rangers appearances, the £4 million summer signing from Cremonese is now on a run of nine in 19.
The difference between Cyriel Dessers in the Mick Beale era and the one leading the line for Philippe Clement is like night and day, the Nigeria international chucking away the chalk and tucking into a block of tasty cheese.
Cyriel Dessers transformed at Rangers
For Lawrence, who’s piercing passes in behind opposition backlines have been key to getting far more out of the mercurial number nine, there was never any doubt about whether Dessers had the requisite ‘quality’ to thrive at Ibrox.
Now, however, his quality has been backed up by confidence, even if Dessers still possesses a wasteful streak that would make even Timo Werner or Darwin Nunez blush.
“We saw the quality of Cyriel when he first came in,” Lawrence explains. “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 (about getting) 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.”
Gers striker in ‘brilliant’ form
Dessers’ sudden burst of form is a major reason why Rangers find themselves top of the Premiership table in late-February, with a Europa League last-16 tie to look forward to.
In the last three weeks alone, the former Feyenoord hitman scored an ‘incredible’ winner at St Mirren and netted twice in the 3-1 victory over St Johnstone. A result which saw The Gers overtake Celtic into top spot for the first time in 18 months.
Dessers will be hoping to add to a now-respectable tally of 14 goals and seven assists when Rangers face Hearts on Saturday.
