“I can be a good striker” – Super Eagles forward pleads for patience with Rangers fans

Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Dessers, has pleaded with the fans of the Glasgow-based club to be more patient with him, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old joined the club from Italian side, Cremonese for a fee of €5.00m but faced heavy criticism as he didn’t hit the ground running immediately. He didn’t help himself either, as he missed clear goal-scoring chances.

However, Rangers coach, Philippe Clement, stuck with the Belgium-born Nigeria striker and his decision paid off, as the Super Eagles forward repaid the gaffer’s faith with 22 goals and 8 assists in all competitions for the Gers.

“The start was not easy, not only for me, I think for the whole team, the whole club probably. I’ve been through a really hard period in that time personally. You arrive here and the amount of, I think that’s the right word, abuse, is unbelievable,” the former Feyenoord man Sky Sports Scotland after their 5-2 victory over Dundee United.

🗣️ “I don’t really care too much about personal accolades, I just want trophies and team victories.”

Cyriel Dessers opens up on his first season in Scotland ahead of his side’s clash with Dundee live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/9EhvRmidpU

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 14, 2024

Dessers’ contract with Rangers runs till the summer of 2027, and after a debut season that yielded 22 goals, he is certain that things will get better, and the fans at Ibrox will reap the rewards of their patience.

“I always said it, let me settle down, let me move in, let me get used to this league, let me get used to this country, let me get everything in my head straight, then I will show that I think that I can be a good striker for Rangers. Those first months until this manager came I think I scored three goals. Since he’s here I think I’ve scored 18 plus five assists. I think those stats, tell my story. I think overall it hasn’t been a bad season personally for me but I don’t really care too much about personal accolades, I just want trophies and team victories. That’s what I work for every day,” the former Genk man added.

Dessers and Rangers could end the season with silverware if they defeat Celtic in the Scottish Cup final that will be played on the 25th of May.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.

He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.