BBC pundit slams Cyriel Dessers on Sportscene despite ‘Massive’ display in Rangers win v St Johnstone
James McFadden has demanded more from Cyriel Dessers, claiming he must improve at Rangers despite getting a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win against St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The former Rangers man insisted Dessers still needs to improve his hold-up play and link-up play to reach his best levels playing as the main striker at Ibrox.
This came despite what McFadden describes as a “massive” performance from the Nigerian as the Ibrox club moved to within two points of Celtic at the top of the SPFL.
Speaking live on BBC Sportscene [20 December], McFadden explained: “It was a telling performance in the game, scoring a goal and getting an assist. There are parts of his game he has to do better, his hold-up play and link-up play could be better.
“The one thing I like about Dessers is his movement. He anticipates where the ball’s going, adjusts his run and when he gets in there it’s a cool finish.
“In terms of his impact on the game, Dessers had a massive impact, especially coming on as a sub.”
He can still improve, but praise is deserved
After a tough start to the season since arriving in Glasgow, Dessers has finally begun to turn things around and kickstart his Rangers career with some hugely impressive displays of late.
Three goals in his last four games suggest he has finally found his goalscoring touch and is proving to Philippe Clement why he deserves to keep his starting place despite initially being rested in favour of Kemar Roofe for the clash against St Johnstone.
While McFadden is correct, he could still improve in terms of the way he connects play and brings his teammates into play, especially when deployed as a lone striker, but his performances have earned higher praise than he has been given.
Perhaps the poor start to the season for Dessers will linger in the minds of some fans who will continue to demand more from him, but as long as he keeps finding the back of the net at Ibrox he will have earned some praise and a level of trust from the fans.
In other Rangers news, a BBC reporter mocked one Gers star after what he did v St Johnstone.