Rangers cannot afford to lose Dessers.
Cyriel Dessers‘ future has been the subject of conjecture this month, with the Nigerian striker reportedly interested in a handful of Italian clubs. The 30-year-old has lost his role as Rangers’ main man in attack to Hamza Igamane (more on him later), but Dessers has responded properly.
Dessers has scored five goals in three games against Fraserburgh, Manchester United, and Dundee United in less than a week. In total, he has 18 goals this season and 40 goals in 89 appearances throughout his 18-month stay at Ibrox. That is a strong return for any Rangers striker’s standards.
Yes, Dessers misses the sitters. He has a collection of outstanding ones. But he’s an important part of this Rangers team and is strong enough to carry the weight of expectation on his shoulders. Given Danilo’s injury history, as well as the fact that Igamane is only 22 and might easily lose form due to his youth, it makes little sense to cash in on Dessers right now. Rangers are unlikely to find a better option. The Rangers need him right now.
The Igamane rumors
Rangers manager Philippe Clement described reports that Ridvan Yilmaz is leaving Ibrox as “a shambles,” and the same term might be used to describe some of the chatter surrounding Igamane.
While Rangers were defeating Dundee United at Tannadice, unconfirmed reports surfaced that Tottenham Hotspur are seriously exploring a transfer for Igamane. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is now looking for a striker. Dominic Solanke is now injured, and Postecoglou’s future is being called into question following another defeat, this time against Leicester City, over the weekend. But is Igamane, in his first complete season at a reputable level, truly the answer this January?
Granted, the Moroccan has all of the physical characteristics to succeed in England. He would fit in well physically, with tree trunk legs and a quick pace. But it would be a major risk to spend heavily on a guy who is still adjusting to the rigours of first-team British.
Then there’s the price. New Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart indicated unequivocally earlier this month that he did not want to lose Igamane during this window. He is too crucial for them. The ex-AS FAR striker has expressed his desire to play at the highest level, but patience is required of the kid. Staying put would be ideal for everyone right now.
It was a little frustrating not to see Bailey Rice come on at some time at Tannadice, given his superb 45-minute performance for Rangers against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday. The 18-year-old was once again named as a substitute, but he was never stripped.
Rice is well-liked by Rangers fans, and he demonstrated enough poise in the Europa League to suggest that he might be called upon in a domestic game, even if only briefly. As it stood, Zak Lovelace and Paul Nsio were the two youths brought from the bench, with the latter making his debut.
Clement definitely knows best about Rice’s progress, but one hopes he gets more playing time sooner rather than later.
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