'Brilliant' - Sky Sports pundit wowed by what often-criticised Rangers ace did vs Hearts

Cyriel Dessers displayed superb technique to engineer himself a first-half chance as Rangers took on Hearts in the Scottish Premiership opener and impressed Neil McCann.

The pundit reacted live on the Sky Sports match coverage of the game at Tynecastle on 3 July after the oft-criticised Nigerian forward brought a Mohamed Diomande ball out of the sky midway through the first half with a “brilliant” touch but couldn’t find the finish as he lifted it over the bar.

Dessers has been linked with an Ibrox exit during the transfer window [Rangers Review, 3 July] amid increasing consideration of a move for his opposite number Lawrence Shankland [Daily Record, 29 July].

McCann said (12.53pm): “The run’s good and I tell you his first touch is brilliant. He does everything right here. Watch him how he’ll control it, just knocks it beyond Kai Rowles, but he’s got to finish there.

“He’s trying to go for the lob but just doesn’t get enough cushion on the touch… I just wondered whether he could have maybe slotted it past Zander Clark who was totally committed.”

Rangers striker frequently compared to Lawrence Shankland

Dessers’ first half displayed his usual plus points and his negative points in the opener as his movement was strong and his control impressive more than once.

But his finishing wasn’t quite up to the same standard as a pair of first half chances were ultimately wasted when he had seemingly done the hard part to get himself in position for a shot.

There has arguably always been a decent case for keeping Dessers in the squad for what he can offer, after 22 goals last term.

But he can be infuriating as a first-choice striker so if a scorer of the profile of Shankland is up for grabs there are plenty who would opt for an upgrade.

As a capable back-up the 29-year-old has plenty to offer but amid widespread interest it equally wouldn’t be a shock for Philippe Clement to cash in if an offer arrived.

He could hardly have gone closer as a second-half header was deflected onto the woodwork as he was the primary Light Blues goal threat, but was unable to add to his four strikes against the Jambos last term.

In other Rangers news, Clement has left an exit-linked star man out of his of European squad entirely.

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