'Extremely Poor' - Pundit reacts as Rangers to sell senior ace despite Clement impact

Derek Ferguson would be “quite happy” if Cyriel Dessers remained at Rangers this summer but accepts a move might suit him.

The Nigerian international bounced back from a bad start at Ibrox last season to finish with 22 goals in all competitions, but is now attracting interest across Europe and in Saudi Arabia [Rangers Review, 3 July].

Ferguson admits the 29-year-old was “extremely poor” to begin with but was impressed by how the striker improved under Philippe Clement so would be satisfied if a sale didn’t happen despite his deficiencies because of the commitment he showed.

He exclusively told Ibrox News: “There’s something with Dessers that I like. I love his attitude because he got a lot of stick. He didn’t play well for the first two or three months of last season, he was extremely poor. 

“Everything about a centre-forward, his movement was poor, he was lethargic, he was cumbersome at times. But the manager came in and improve him, like he did with a lot of players.

“But he’s coming up to 30. I think he needs to be loved, a lot of forward-thinking players need that loving, and I just don’t think he maybe got enough of that from the Rangers support.

“22 goals is a good return but if you look back on a lot of the games, for me he never did it in the big games, that was the thing. That’s why I judge a lot of players. It’s okay doing it against the bottom six but can you do it against the top four clubs, in the big games, the big moments, and he failed a times.

“He seems to be a guy that does move about quite a lot so it might just suit him, but if he was to stay I would be quite happy because I could see the improvement under the manager.”

Rangers want to recoup fee paid to Cremonese for Ibrox exit

Despite the frustrations that Dessers caused over the previous season he ultimately proved to be one of the more important players in the entire squad under Clement.

Selling him can be justified but only if a replacement is secured who represents an upgrade so it could be a risk to let him go after 22 goals.

Since Rangers feel they can make most of their money back [Tutto Mercato Web, 9 July] on his £4.5million signing from Cremonese [Mail Plus] he could feasibly fund the signing of some crucial new arrivals, but it is a careful balancing act for Clement and Nils Koppen.

In other Rangers news, Lawrence Shankland wants a switch to Ibrox if the opportunity is available.

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