Kenny Miller stunned by ‘simply sensational’ Cyriel Dessers for Rangers v Real Betis
Kenny Miller was left stunned by a “simply sensational” finish from Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers during the first half of the Europa League clash with Real Betis.
Philippe Clement’s side headed into the break level at 2-2 in Spain on Thursday (14 December) with Abdallah Sima and Dessers’ strikes coming either side of goals from Juan Miranda and Ayoze Perez in the first half.
It had looked as though Manuel Pellegrini’s side had begun to take control of proceedings only for Dessers to produce a moment of magic inside the opposition penalty area against the run of play that left the BBC pundit lost for words.
Speaking on TNT Sport (14 December, 20:20) he said: “Just when you thought Betis were taking control and they were putting Rangers under so much pressure, just from a simple throw-in, Dessers flicks it on to Cifuentes who releases him and he comes in and he’s been in this position so many times this season.
“This time he moves to shoot, chops back onto his left, angles it up on his right and he puts it through the legs of Rui Silva. That is just a simply sensational goal. Excellent play from Dessers initially and then the finish just slotting it under Silva.”
Proving his worth
Few players in Glasgow have come in for more criticism than Dessers since he joined the ranks at Ibrox from Cremonese, but the Nigerian forward demonstrated the quality that supporters were hoping to see from him in the first half on Thursday.
The moment of composure to shift the ball onto his left foot to fashion the shooting angle was a moment of pure magic. It hasn’t happened enough in a Rangers shirt but Dessers showed why Michael Beale was so keen to sign him this summer.
Many supporters and pundits have already written off the 29-year-old after his poor displays early in his Rangers career, but they will have been silenced by the “sensational” piece of skill in one of the Light Blues’ biggest games of the season.
Hopefully, this isn’t just a flash in the pan and Dessers can maintain this form for the remainder of the campaign. The ability is there, it just needs to be seen more often. Hopefully, the Light Blues can pick up all three points and secure their place in the Europa League knockout stages.
In other Rangers news, Andy Halliday has urged Clement to drop Ridvan Yilmaz for the Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen