'Rangers'll sign a striker' - Pundit view: Clement to replace 20+ goal ace before deadline

Cyriel Dessers won’t get the chance to score more than 20 goals this season because Rangers will sign a striker to play ahead of him, says Tam McManus.

The former Hibs forward responded on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on 5 August after fellow pundit Alan Rough claimed the Nigerian international would again reach that milestone for the Light Blues this term, having registered 22 in all competitions last term.

Dessers led the line for Philippe Clement in the 0-0 draw at Hearts in the opening game on 3 August and went closest to scoring for the Gers with a header which was deflected onto the frame of the goal.

The game came amid summer-long speculation that a new senior forward will arrive at the club, potentially opposite number Lawrence Shankland [Daily Record, 2 August] and McManus believes someone will arrive before the deadline.

Rangers ace and Lawrence Shankland draw blanks in Hearts draw

Dessers was arguably unlucky not to be the match-winner at Tyncastle after showing good touch and positioning to help fashion three solid chances, but his finishing and his fortune wasn’t up to the same standard.

The 29-year-old has proven that he can score goals as a regular starter so if he remains the top option for Clement it is probably a safe bet that he does break the 20-goal barrier.

But amid links to Shankland and Albion Rrahmani there appears to be an interest in signing a new number one who can hit the net with more regularity.

Danilo might be an upgrade if he can stay fit this term but the verdict will have to wait until he regains full fitness, which Ibrox News pundit Derek Ferguson expects to be a few weeks away.

It might have to be Dessers that is let go in order to fund the new arrival, and there is believed to be a significant list of suitors for him [Rangers Review, 3 July].

It is one of many questions that still need answering so late in the window after the season started with half the transfer business yet to be done and just one new signing in the starting XI, but might prove to be one of the most important.

In other Rangers news, Clement could be in “really serious trouble” with his job in less than a month’s time.

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