Cyriel Dessers finished in Rangers XI, no way striker starts in Old Firm v Celtic – Gary Keown
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers “cannot be trusted” to start against Celtic in the upcoming Old Firm showdown, according to Gary Keown.
Dessers has 12 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, but he is now five games without a goal in all competitions after his blank against Benfica in midweek.
In the view of prominent journalist Keown, the Nigeria international simply has to be left out by Philippe Clement for the big matches.
“Big games against bigger, better-organised teams need correct, killer decisions to be made in an instant,” he said in his Scottish Mail on Sunday column [page 92, 17 March].
“That’s why Thursday night’s 1-0 reverse to the Portuguese champions really ought to spell the end for Dessers as a starter in matches that really, really matter.
“He simply cannot be trusted when the heat is on the most.
“The visit of Celtic to Ibrox in three weeks’ time will certainly be one of those occasions, given the fact it has the potential to allow Rangers to place one hand on a Premiership trophy that no one in their right mind would have given them a chance of winning five months ago.
“And manager Philippe Clement needs to start working on a plan that doesn’t involve the Nigerian international in the XI that steps out of the tunnel and into what is shaping up to be a date with destiny.”
Cyriel Dessers record for Rangers in 2023-24
Dessers’ 12 goals in the Scottish Premiership in 26 outings ahead of the Dundee game is pretty much par for the course and sees him lead the scoring charts for the Gers.
The 29-year-old has also netted one goal in each of the Europa League, Scottish Cup, Viaplay Cup and Champions League qualifying.
However, Dessers failed to find the net across 153 minutes on the field in the Europa League last-16 defeat to Benfica.
There was one big chance in particular that went begging in the second leg, which ultimately came back to haunt Clement’s charges.
Keown does have a point with regards to Dessers starting big games, but the question is who exactly replaces him?
The failure to bring in cover in the January window is now being felt, and it remains a priority position to plug in the summer.
For now, Dessers will likely continue leading the line. If that is to remain the case next season, he could do with hitting a scoring patch between now and the end of the campaign.
In other Rangers news, Kemar Roofe has shared an honest assessment of his future at Ibrox beyond this summer.
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