Derek Clark ‘deflated’ by Philippe Clement decision in Rangers v Hearts
Journalist Derek Clark was left “deflated” after Rangers boss Philippe Clement named Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers in the starting line-up to face Hearts.
The attacking pair have made slow starts to their Ibrox careers – Lammers in particular – but they retained the support of recently appointed boss Clement for the meeting with Hearts on Sunday (29 October).
Dessers was hauled off at half-time in place of Danilo, who made a telling difference as he headed in a dramatic stoppage-time winner to complete the Gers’ late 2-1 comeback win.
Speaking on the Rangers Review podcast on Monday [30 October, 2m 15s], Clark said: “When the team was announced, I’ve got to say I felt deflated at seeing a certain two players in the starting line-up.
“I had messages saying ‘I cannot believe Dessers and Lammers are starting this game’. Woeful performances from both of them.”
Wake-up call
Lammers still somehow regularly starts games, as he did under Michael Beale, despite having very little impact in the final third.
The 26-year-old has just one goal involvement to his name in 19 appearances since joining in the summer, which says it all.
Dessers has at least had some promising moments, albeit fleetingly, having scored four times in 18 outings as a Rangers player.
With Danilo now back from a head injury lay-off and making a big impact against Hearts, it may well be that Dessers’ place in the side is at risk.
This is not to say both men cannot come good, and they will certainly be needed as the season goes on, but Clement cannot keep picking both.
The win over Hearts was a bit of a wake-up call in that regards, so let’s just hope lessons have been learned ahead of facing Dundee on Wednesday (1 November).
In other Rangers news, Robbie Savage hit back at Chris Sutton over a claim made about the Gers live on air.