Rangers new boy Cyriel Dessers admits he’s desperate to wipe away his European heartache at Ibrox.
The new Nigerian ace was part of the Feyenoord side that fought its way through to the final of the inaugural Conference League in 2021. But there was only trauma in Tirana as his Dutch side were edged out by Jose Mourinho’s Roma side. Dessers said: “If you’ve been to the final and get that close to winning a really big trophy then it hurts. But it makes your hunger also even bigger to finally lift a really big trophy. To do that at Rangers would be a dream of course.”
It was Dessers goals that propelled the Rotterdam side all the way to the final of UEFA’s new tournament. But while he was shooting his way through the Conference League, his new side were also whipping up a storm in the Europa. And the 28-year-old he admits he was cheering on as Gio van Bronckhorst’s team had their own fateful date with destiny in Seville.
Dessers - who was first approached about a move to Ibrox in 2019 - said: “Since I had that first contact with Rangers four years ago I’ve been following the club a little bit. So of course I saw their run to Seville. It was amazing. We were in a training camp in Portugal with Feyenoord preparing for our own final in the Conference League that week and of course we watched the Europa League final. I was hoping for a Rangers win but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
Belgian-born Dessers was first approached by Gers in 2019 when he was in red-hot form with 20 goals for Dutch outfit Hercules. He had other options this summer after Cremonese’s relegation from Serie A but opted for a switch to Scotland after being persuaded by boss Michael Beale’s personal touch.
He said: ”The coach came to visit me in Italy. His vision was clear. He had a clear plan. It made me enthusiastic right away. I'm glad I'm here this early in the summer window, it helps me adapt.
“Of course I had some options to stay in Italy. There were also some other options again in Belgium and the Netherlands but I don’t think it’s smart to name the clubs here. On the other side, Rangers is massive. I like what is happening here.
“The players already here and the manager who has a really good idea of what he wants on and off the pitch, it’s fundamental for me. That’s why I made the choice. I look at the training ground, the stadium and how the club wants to work very professionally. That’s something I was looking for. It was a pretty easy choice, actually.”
Dessers could be faced with a trickier dilemma later this season if he can force his way back into the Nigeria squad. The Super Eagles have qualified for next year's African Cup of Nations. The tournament kicks off on January 13 and if they were to go all the way to the February 11 final, it would put Gers’ new frontman at risk of sitting out three vital Premiership fixtures as well as their opening Scottish Cup tie.
But that worry can wait, says Dessers: “At the beginning of this season I was with the national team twice. But the last two times I haven’t been involved due to a slight injury. At this moment (AFCON) is not really in my head.
“First you have to perform, of course. You have to score goals and win games. Then you get into the picture for the Nigerian national team.
“The competition is really big. We have eight or nine strikers who could easily be called up so I’m not too focused on it. If it comes and I get a call-up, that’s a good sign. It means I’m playing well for Rangers. But I’m not too focused on that, I’m focused on Rangers right now.”
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