Rangers manager Philippe Clement has heaped praise on Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers, comparing him to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland ahead of Sunday's Old Firm Derby.
The 29-year-old has been the subject of discussions among fans of the club in the past few days, with two former players sharing their thoughts on him. In 27 games for Rangers, Dessers has scored 13 goals and provided two assists to his teammates. Despite his efforts, it seems he is still maligned by the Rangers faithful.
However, Clement, in an interview with the club's official website provided a nuanced perspective, highlighting Dessers' growth as a player and his integral role in fostering team cohesion.
Clement's insight on Cyriel Dessers' role at Rangers
Ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby, the Rangers manager offered a poignant reflection on Dessers' evolution, accentuating the complexities of a striker's role beyond mere statistics.
“He was in a good place then, he’s just scored in Betis, a really important goal to make an historical victory. In what place is Haaland for the moment? That’s the life of a striker. You score chances, you are the guy, you miss chances and then suddenly some people, mostly from outside, they say you’re a bad player. It doesn’t work that way. I think Cyriel is taking good steps,” Clement said.
“If I compare the last five months, that he’s evolving as a player, that he’s becoming better. I don’t see him yet at his best level what I have in mind with him. I think there are still things to improve but I have seen already a lot of things that he improved in that period together. And he’s scoring also much more goals than he was doing before so his statistics are quite good, for the moment,” he added.
“It can be better but it’s not only for me about his statistics about scoring it’s also all the other things he’s doing with the team. We talked a lot about that already with you guys the last couple of months.
“I am not only looking at his goals, I am looking also what he has been doing for the team and like this arranging that we’re good as a team defensively also, where he puts a lot of effort in. But also that he gives chances for other players to run in certain spaces or to score goals. No, he’s in a good way. I think everybody sees a better player than five months ago, clearly, so that’s the way we need to go with every player.”
Can Cyriel Dessers silence his critics in the Old Firm derby?
On Sunday, April 7th, 2024, the Nigeria international will be presented with an opportunity to silence his critics and endear himself to the Rangers faithful in the Old Firm derby.
In Glasgow, the enduring and fierce rivalry between Celtic and Rangers epitomises the essence of footballing animosity.
For more than a century and a half, Scottish football has been heavily influenced by the profound enmity shared between these two clubs.
The Old Firm derby, widely regarded as one of the most ferocious and fiercely contested football matches globally, is defined by the longstanding Catholic-Protestant divide in Glasgow.
This division has not only shaped the nature of the rivalry but has also influenced the passionate demeanor of the fans who breathe life into these matches.
Currently occupying the second position, Rangers is determined to narrow the distance between themselves and league leaders Celtic by securing a pivotal victory on their home turf.
With an admirable track record of 24 victories and only 5 defeats out of 30 matches played, Rangers showcases a strong offensive lineup spearheaded by Cyriel Dessers.
At the top of the standings, Celtic approaches this match with a strong sense of assurance, having emerged victorious in 23 out of 31 matches played this season.
Bolstered by a formidable attacking roster, including players like Matt O'Riley, who has netted 11 goals, Celtic presents a substantial challenge to Rangers' defensive line.
With a recent string of successes and an impressive away record of 12 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, Celtic aims to further solidify their position atop the league table.
