Philippe Clement makes mistake already by starting Cyriel Dessers in Rangers v Hibernian
Philippe Clement has named his first starting XI as Rangers boss for the clash against Hibernian at Ibrox on 21 October, but starting Cyriel Dessers proves he’ll have a lot of learning to do at Ibrox.
The forward was dropped from Steven Davis’ final starting line-up against St Mirren after a string of shocking performances, and Clement’s decision to reinstate his position in the team is a baffling one.
Kemar Roofe, who is named on the bench, would have been the better option for the position given the consistency of his performance this season, which recently earned praise from Alex Rae in recent weeks [Viaplay Sports, 27 September].
Dessers has scored just one league goal since his arrival in the summer and was a constant source of frustration to Michael Beale after his decision to bring him to Ibrox led to heavy criticism both for the now departed boss and the Nigerian forward.
In his last two displays for Rangers against Aberdeen in the league and Aris in the Europa League, he typified the reasons for the frustration around him so far this season.
Against Aris, Dessers touched the ball just 30 times in 90 minutes, failing to get a single shot off, making just 14 passes, only winning three of his 10 attempted duels and losing the ball 12 times in a shocking display, so his inclusion here has come as a real surprise. [Sofascore]
In the league tie against Aberdeen, which saw Beale lose his job, Dessers was braver in front of goal as he fired four shots off, but he won just three of 12 duels attempted, made only nine passes, committed three fouls and lost the ball seven times before being dragged off after 84 minutes.
Clement will be hoping this decision doesn’t cost him in his first game as the manager at Ibrox, and maybe he can get something out of the striker that Beale couldn’t but there may already be cause for concern here.
In other Rangers news, Jim White has shared a new Rangers appointment.