Rangers must be on red alert amid Cyriel Dessers AFCON update
Rangers need to be on red alert after Cyriel Dessers was placed on Nigeria’s standby list for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, as shared by The Herald.
The Scottish newspaper, sharing reports from Africa, disclosed that Dessers could be in line for a place in Nigeria’s squad at the international tournament amid an injury to star striker Victor Boniface.
Philippe Clement has had his hands tied in the attacking department recently, with Kemar Roofe and Danilo both suffering long-term injuries, and AFCON already taking Abdallah Sima away from Ibrox.
The absence of Brighton loanee Sima is bound to be the most devastating. The 22-year-old is the Gers’ top scorer this season, netting 15 goals in 33 appearances since joining in the summer.
And now, with Clement’s squad stripped to its bare bones, Rangers must be careful as Dessers could be the next player to become unavailable. An injury to Bayer Leverkusen Boniface has meant that the 29-year-old could be called upon as his replacement.
Even with the new loan signing of Wolves outcast Fabio Silva, Rangers are extremely light up top, leaning on the likes of the young and inexperienced Ross McCausland, the disappointing Sam Lammers and Rabbi Matondo, who is working his way back to full fitness.
Rangers could be delivered a significant blow to their season if Dessers is to be called up to the Nigeria squad for the next month, with AFCON lasting until 11th February. Although the Super Eagles will need to fight for a place in the final, Dessers’ month-long absence could be a very real scenario.
With Scottish Premiership and Europa League fixtures still to come, Clement has it all to do with his mixed squad, mostly formed by Michael Beale’s spending spree in the summer.
Already eight points adrift of rivals Celtic at the top of the league table, Rangers cannot afford to lose yet another player to either injury or international tournaments. Sima joining up with Senegal is already bad enough.
The club’s only saving grace will be that Nice’s Terem Moffi is before Dessers in the line to replace Boniface. But it remains to be seen as to whether the French side will allow him to leave for the tournament.
Clement will have let out a sigh of relief when Dessers was snubbed from the Nigeria squad. And although he has been fairly criticised for his performances this season, the alternative could be a lot worse.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has shared who would be a “terrific” signing for the Gers.