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When the ball landed at the feet of Cyriel Dessers for the umpteenth time in the final seconds of last week’s bonkers encounter at Dens Park, you’d have been hard pushed to find anyone in the stands or watching on from afar who expected the net to bulge.
But you know what they say: 12th time’s a charm.
Yes, the Nigerian really did need a dozen attempts to move on to a dozen league goals for the season in an erratic performance which perfectly encapsulated his Rangers career to date. Brutal and brilliant in equal measure.
Since his arrival in July 2023, Dessers has celebrated 45 goals over a century of appearances in all competitions. Sure, that number should be higher, but for a guy who has never been regarded as prolific, that’s not a tally to be sniffed at.
A fair few of them have come against top-level opposition too, including the likes of Real Betis, Olympiakos and Manchester United. His finish against the latter in particular was exceptional.
His early strike — and overall performance — away to Fenerbahce last month also helped propel his side into the Europa League quarter-finals. Who would bet against him having a big say against Athletic Bilbao this week?
Cyriel Dessers netted his 45th goal in Rangers colours in a dramatic win over Dundee last week
The Nigerian has come up with big goals in Europe against the likes of Fenerbahce
Fellow frontman Hamza Igamane has impressed in his first campaign in Scottish football
So why, then, is there an acceptance amongst Rangers supporters — and for some, a hope — that he will be one of many who won’t be around next season?
It’s widely expected that Hamza Igamane is the future. Fair enough. The 22-year-old has been a small chink of light in what’s been another dismal domestic campaign for the club and is surely only going to get better as time goes on.
But that shouldn’t mean Dessers should simply be cast aside. Even as a number two, he is worth holding on to.
He’s certainly a better option than Danilo anyway. The Brazilian was brought in just a fortnight after his fellow frontman in a deal worth around £5million.
Of course, rotten luck with injuries haven’t helped, but fans are still waiting to see a return on that not inconsiderable investment.
Can Rangers really afford to take another big-money gamble? Because that’s what it would more than likely require if they wish to make a significant upgrade.
Even if the club were to cash in on their current number nine to bolster the summer war chest, given he’s now in his 30s, he wouldn’t go for much. It simply doesn’t make sense.
This is a squad which is in serious need of an overhaul. Far too many players have proven time and time again that they don’t have the bottle to handle the expectations and pressure associated with representing one of Glasgow’s big two.
The Rangers support remain split over whether Dessers should be kept at the club next season
Dessers, however, doesn’t fall into that category.
Say what you like about his finishing at times, but his mentality can’t be questioned.
Few players get as much flak from the Ibrox faithful than the former Cremonese man, yet he never hides. Never crumbles. Never complains.
Even when ditched for a period in favour of Igamane earlier this season, Dessers refused to kick up a fuss, got his head down and worked his way back into the team. A consummate pro.
It promises to be a big summer of transition at Ibrox, with changes coming both on and off the field, not least sorting out a new manager, but the future of Dessers shouldn’t be up for debate.
Spiders have sinking feeling
It wasn’t too long ago that the Queen’s Park players were lapping up the adulation from their small band of fans crammed into a corner of Ibrox having dumped their hosts out of the Scottish Cup.
Sebastian Drozd’s wonderful second-half winner will live long in the memory of all those who were there to witness it, as will the heroics of keeper Calum Ferrie at the other end on what was one of the greatest days in the club’s history.
Their dream campaign, however, is quickly turning into a nightmare.
Queen’s Park’s decision to sack manager Callum Davidson in March has backfired
The club’s famous Scottish Cup victory over Rangers at Ibrox this year seems a long time ago
Wednesday’s 5-0 thumping at the hands of Airdrieonians — just three days after suffering the same scoreline against Livingston in the Challenge Cup final — was the latest in a long run of alarming results which has put the club in all sorts of trouble.
The sacking of Callum Davidson in mid-March seemed like a bizarre decision at the time, and it may end up costing them their spot in the Championship.
Interim manager Steven MacLean has failed to steady the ship, and their second-tier status is now in serious jeopardy.
They now sit just three points above eighth-placed Dunfermline ahead of today’s trip to promotion-chasing Livi, and four ahead of Hamilton, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.
And with the news now confirmed that they will lose a major sponsorship agreement with Willie Haughey’s City Facilities Management at the end of next season — and with question marks also lingering over the future of their youth academy and women’s side — it’s a concerning time for all associated with the club
