Rangers are seeing for the first time since 2020/21 what can happen when a football club has three strikers to choose between.
Danilo might be out injured for now, however, the manager has been able to rotate, pair them together and keep all three of the main forwards in his squad fresh despite competing every few days.
At the end of 2024, Cyriel Dessers looked like he was leaving Rangers, with his agent explaining why the 30-year old is still at Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers had plenty of offers to leave Rangers
Philippe Clement has backed Dessers to the hilt recently, and rightly so.
The Rangers No.9 has produced some of his best form in a Light Blue jersey, even in games when he hasn’t scored goals.
Against Ross County, his link up play and movement outside of the box was as good as it’s been and all that was missing was a goal.
Ironically, this is one of the reasons why Cagliari decided not to make a move for Dessers, because of question marks about his overall play.
There has been nothing wrong with his numbers, which is why he wasn’t short of offers:
“There is still a lot of probing, but clubs are pushing much less. Look at Cyriel Dessers: he had ten offers, but the market is much more difficult at that time,” Stijn Francis explained in an interview with Sporza.
“Many wanted to rent him, but Rangers only wanted to sell. And that is not ideal for the player’s focus.”
Were Rangers right to keep ahold of Dessers?
Rangers are right to hold out because money has been saved elsewhere, even if there haven’t been any real transfer fees received.
The problem with Dessers was always when he wasn’t scoring goals, he offered very little.
That has all changes with the subtle change of system that Clement has introduced.
Having to watch Danilo and Igamane from the sidelines has clearly had an affect on him.
Given that the Moroccan international isn’t on a big salary – a reported £7,200 per week – Dessers pay can almost be absorbed a bit better when considered as part of a group of three, rather than just on his own.
If he was sold, with Rangers said to be wanting £3.35m, it would free up space on the wage bill and money to replace him.
Nils Koppen should have the next Igamane already lined up, just in case.
