Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers has said it was a “good feeling” after his late strike secured a draw for Rangers in the UEFA Champions League against Dynamo Kyiv.
The Gers came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Ukrainian side in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round on Tuesday evening.
Andriy Yarmolenko’s first-half goal had seemed destined to give Dynamo Kyiv an important home victory but Dessers ensured the spoils were shared after scoring a 94th-minute equaliser.
“Obviously, good feeling. I think everybody can see that Dynamo is a good team technically, so we had to work hard to keep the spaces closed. I'm happy to score a goal at the end and take a good result home. Well, I think that’s obvious,” the striker told Rangers TV after the game.
Cyriel Dessers impressed Rangers’ spirit carrying over to UEFA competition
Dessers, who scored 22 goals in all competitions for Rangers last season, has been manager Philippe Clement’s first-choice striker this term despite criticism of his overall game.
The former Genk and Cremonese forward has now started each of Rangers’ two matches this season, having also played the full 90 minutes in the Gers’ opening Scottish Premiership game against Hearts last week.
Dessers was, however, impressed with Rangers’ fighting spirit in their comeback game against Dynamo Kyiv, insisting it is a testament to the team’s strong mentality.
“It is really important,” he said. “We did that a few times last season as well, when we conceded quite early but bounced back, and I think that says a lot about the mentality in this team.
“We are not giving up; we keep going even if it’s against a good team, and we get rewarded at the end. I was a little bit of a fighter in the corner.”
Cyriel Dessers will be hoping to reproduce his goal-scoring heroics when Rangers host their Ukrainian opponents in the second leg next week, as they aim to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.
