'Has to be a starter' - BBC pundit raves about Rangers ace fans 'Dislike' and 'want benched now'

Cyriel Dessers has to start for Rangers and cannot lose his place to Hamza Igamane, according to Marvin Bartley.

The BBC Sport pundit reacted via X on 21 September after the Light Blues striker scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Dundee to put his side through to the League Cup semi final, insisting he should be one of the first on Philippe Clement’s team sheet.

The goals were the six and seventh of the Nigerian’s campaign, after netting 22 last term, and Bartley has rejected calls for Dessers to be benched despite summer signing Igamane now being involved in the first team.

He wrote: “Dessers doing what he does. Say what you want about what he doesn’t do! Rangers are a far better team with him in it. FACT!!!”

In response to a fan he replied: “People want him benched NOW!!!! You don’t have better, currently. Obviously there is better out there but that’s not the point, he has to be a starter for you with your current squad.”

And to another: “Igamanes scoring record is what? I don’t get the dislike for Dessers when he scores goals! Trying to say someone untested should replace him”.

Rangers striker repays Philippe Clement vs Dundee at Ibrox

Igamane’s belated introduction has shown some very positive signs [PLZ Soccer, 16 September] after weeks where his level was a mystery while being entirely uninvolved on match day until the 1 September Old Firm derby at Celtic.

If he continues to develop in the same way the young Moroccan may soon get greater opportunities but Dessers’ impact can’t be forgotten.

There are valid criticisms of the 29-year-old’s record in Glasgow but plenty of teammates deserve greater scrutiny and Dessers can’t control the club’s failure to secure more able competition.

He has probably played closer to his best than most of the Rangers squad over the past year, but suspicions remain that his best isn’t up to the level of a regular number one forward at Ibrox.

Igamane has hinted at the fact that he might be more suited to being the top man, but as things stand it isn’t yet certain and when Dessers is scoring goals it might be hasty for Clement to drop him from the side.

It may actually work in Dessers’ favour if Igamane does establish himself as the number one striker in this side, as meaningful production from another goal scorer would take the pressure off the older man’s shoulders and put his contribution into context.

His 29 goals since signing two summers ago will look a lot more favourable if it is not the entirety of what Clement and the Gers are relying on up front.

There is absolutely a role in this squad for a player who has shown he can score pretty regularly against most sides, as long as someone else will do so in the biggest clashes.

Antonio Colak is largely viewed favourably despite essentially fulfilling a very similar role, and was jettisoned too quickly despite not being favoured over Alfredo Morelos under Michael Beale.

If Igamane proves to be the man for the big occasions then it would provide a huge boost, and potentially allow Dessers to thrive in a supporting role within the squad.

In other Rangers news, Ibrox board sources have rejected investment accusations.

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The post 'Has to be a starter' - BBC pundit raves about Rangers ace fans 'Dislike' and 'want benched now' appeared first on Ibrox News.