Pundit tells Cyriel Dessers what he must do at Rangers after new int'l snub

Rangers star Cyriel Dessers can still make a return to international football despite being left out of Nigeria’s latest squad, Benedict Akwuegbu has said.

Speaking to Sportsboom (10 October), the former Nigeria striker said that Dessers’ omission from the recently-named squad is likely down to tactical preferences rather than his form at Ibrox.

Belgium-born Dessers has won six caps for the Super Eagles, scoring two goals including one against Ghana in the March 2024 international break, but has been overlooked despite Victor Osimhen’s injury.

Akwuegbu said: “I strongly believe that Cyriel Dessers is a very good player, but being selected for the national team depends on several factors.

“There is strong competition for his position, and Nigeria has many options in that area – maybe he doesn’t fit into the current tactical plans.

“I’m sure Dessers will get his opportunity soon – he can’t afford to give up. He must keep working hard, scoring goals for his club, and be ready to seize the moment when it comes.”

Cyriel Dessers improvement can benefit both Rangers and Nigeria

To get himself back into international contention – and too good for interim Nigerian coach Augustin Eguavoen to ignore – Dessers knows exactly what he needs to do on the club scene.

The Gers number nine remains the out-and-out first choice for Philippe Clement and started the season in red-hot form, with seven goals in his first nine games.

However, the four games since have seen the 29-year-old draw blanks, with fans and others developing feelings of similar frustration with the striker and his erratic finishing [Keith Jackson, 7 October].

Nigeria’s strength in attacking areas is highlighted by the fact that Dessers can’t get a kick even with Osimhen injured, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi selected ahead of him.

Unlike Dessers, that trio are all playing in Europe’s top five leagues, and for the Gers striker to bridge that gap, he needs to re-discover a semblance of prolific scoring form sooner rather than later.

In other Rangers news, a recruitment firm working alongside the club will be delighted with the latest developments at Ibrox.

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