This is not the first time the former Rangers hitman has banged this particular drum.
Back in April, before the wheels came off Philippe Clement’s Scottish Premiership charge, Kenny Miller felt that Rangers might still have been in need of a player of this ilk.
And, three months on, Miller is once again talking up the virtues of Rangers replacing Cyriel Dessers – should his proposed move to Greek outfit PAOK Salonika become a reality – with a prolific, proven centre-forward who’s record speaks for itself.
“Irrespective of (Hamza) Igamane arriving on Friday, I still expect Philippe Clement to sign another centre-forward in this transfer window,” Miller tells the Daily Record.
“That might mean Cyriel Dessers leaving the club. There are plenty of rumours going around about teams being interested and his potential departure.
“I’ve always felt that if Rangers were going to let either him or Danilo go this summer, it would be Dessers. His performances might not have been brilliant and the big man took his fair share of criticism from supporters, but scoring 23 goals for a club the size of Rangers is always going to catch people’s eye.
“So it doesn’t surprise me there’s speculation.”
Cyriel Dessers could leave Rangers for PAOK
Igamane, a 21-year-old recruited from RAF Rabat in Morocco, might not be ready to step into Dessers’ shoes. Igamane scored only seven times in 23 games last term, and there are understandable concerns about Clement’s side resting their Premiership title hopes on the youngster’s shoulders.
Miller, then, feels there is one option which simply leaps off the page should PAOK step up their interest in Dessers. A man who, had Rangers signed him in January, might have ensured the coveted trophy ended up on this side of the Old Firm.
“If I was the manager, I’d be holding on to Dessers until a replacement is found. And by that, I don’t mean Igamane. I’m talking about a proper, tried-and-tested striker with experience behind him,” adds Miller, a three-time Scottish Premiership winner with The Gers.
“Dare I say it, like Lawrence Shankland, for example.
“In January, I stated that Rangers had to sign a proven frontman to get them over the line in the title race. They didn’t – and we know what happened after that.
“If Dessers goes, I’d expect to see someone else come in to complement Igamane and Danilo who are already in the building.”
Gers told to consider Lawrence Shankland move
Hearts hero Shankland won the top-flight’s Golden Boot last term with 24 goals. In all competitions, he hit 31, and could wreak even more havoc in the final third at either of the Old Firm giants.
And with Shankland’s contract expiring next summer, his rumoured £5 million asking price may have to be reduced, per the Edinburgh News.
Miller does feel, however, that Shankland’s age may count against him.
Turning 29 in August, the Scotland international is far older than the typical Clement and Nils Koppen era signing. Mohamed Diomande, at just 22, is the eldest of the six outfield signings to join Rangers since the turn of the year.
Alongside PAOK, Chris Jack of Rangers Review reports that Dessers has admirers in France, Spain and in Saudi Arabia, where Fashion Sakala is playing the best football of his career.
The Greek outfit are reportedly deciding between Dessers and ex-Barcelona frontman Martin Braithwaite.
