Rangers manager Philippe Clement believes Cyriel Dessers is gradually transforming his game following months of criticism from fans and pundits alike.
The Nigeria international remains one of the club’s top scorers this season, but has often been in the spotlight over his wastefulness and overall lack of involvement in the team’s play. Since joining the Scottish side from Cremonese last year, Dessers’ numbers have greatly improved, but he has often been called out for not contributing much on the pitch.
Dessers was once again on the scoresheet when Rangers defeated St. Mirren 2-1 on Sunday to keep their title hopes alive. The Gers were on their way to dropping points after Mikael Mandron had cancelled out James Bolton’s own goal late in the first half. However, Dessers stepped up with a 74-minute winner to hand Rangers maximum points and keep them three points behind league leaders Celtic.
The 29-year-old’s strike was his 14th goal in the Scottish Premiership, but it was his all-round contributions that impressed his manager. Clement had previously described the striker as “too nice” and lacking the “killer” instinct despite his goal against Hearts last week, but had to take back his words after watching the forward shine against St. Mirren.
Clement praises Dessers’ hard work without the ball
Addressing journalists in the aftermath of the game, the Rangers boss highlighted the changes in Dessers’ game and said the Nigerian was now working very hard without the ball.
He also pointed to Dessers' support for his teammates as an improvement of his game, adding that the forward’s performance against St. Mirren was not just about goals and that he gave everything on the pitch.
“It is not only the goals. It is also the work he is doing without ball, also his work as high support. He is working really hard for the team, he is giving everything. He changed the situation himself in a really good way. If I hear what the fans are singing now or six months ago, there are different songs,” Clement said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“But he deserves because he has been working really hard to help the team, not only thinking about himself but to help the team. Then the moments come and the situations come to be decisive in that position. It was again a really good finish today and a good cross of Tav also.”
Cyriel Dessers notches 20th goal of the season
Meanwhile, Dessers has now scored 20 goals in all competitions for Rangers since joining the Gers from Cremonese.
The striker has matched his tally from the 2021/22 season, when he was on the books of Eredivisie side Feyenoord. He’s also now nine goals away from matching the most prolific season of his career (he scored 29 goals for NAC Breda in the Dutch second tier in the 2016/17 campaign).
Dessers’ rich vein of form is also a huge boost to Rangers as they target the league and cup double. The former Genk forward could also finally cement his place in the Nigeria squad after being in and out of the national team since making his international debut in October 2020.
Although he was not part of the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast, Dessers was invited for the March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali. The availability of Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface means he would find it difficult to command a starting position for Nigeria, but his form could earn him a call-up for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.
