Philippe Clement gets it right as Cyriel Dessers rewards Rangers in first half v Dundee
Philippe Clement had some big decisions to make for Rangers against Dundee, but he got his biggest one correct if the first-half is anything to go by.
After Brazilian striker Danilo was ruled out of the game with a knee injury that may require surgery, it’s no surprise that Gers fans were worried about what could be to come.
Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers have been poor for the most part this season, while Kemar Roofe is made of sugar paper and Abdallah Sima is our best left-winger by a distance too.
But after Dessers got the nod from the start, the Nigerian proved that it was the right decision by Clement as not only did he get on the scoresheet after just 20 minutes but he also had a great overall half.
With the pace of Sima and Rabbi Matondo on either side of him and the creativity of Todd Cantwell in his preferred number ten role, it seemed to bring the best out of the 29-year-old.
He had more shots than anyone else during the opening 45 minutes, got the all-important equalising goal and won 100% of his aerial duels to show what he is really capable of. That helped the side push on and score more, as they lead 3-1 at the break thanks to a James Tavernier penalty and Sima header.
In a game where the Rangers back-four looked really bad for the most part, it was important that the team had a big threat going in the other direction and for once Dessers is living up to that tag.
With Danilo out injured and the club confirming they will be looking to bring a striker into the club in January, this could well be Dessers’ final chance to establish himself at Ibrox. If this performance is anything to go by, he’s got a chance of making it.
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