Cyriel Dessers has led the line for Rangers this season

Cyriel Dessers sends message to critics after Rangers win v St Mirren

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

29 Apr 2024, 5:10 am

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers scored his 20th goal of the season against St Mirren and is defying his critics despite acknowledging he isn't "the most beautiful" striker.

The Gers defeated St Mirren 2-1 on 28 April to get their Scottish Premiership title bid back on track, with Dessers heading in the winner after firing blanks for the first 75 minutes.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Dessers said of his recent performances: “Have I rammed the critics' words back down their throats? That’s up to other people.

"If I play, I’m always going to score goals. I’m a striker who maybe on the eye isn’t the most beautiful or the most clean."

On his style of play, Dessers added: “I’m talking about winning battles with defenders. About running. Last week I broke my record for high-intensity runs, for sprints.

“These are the things people in the stands or on social media don’t see immediately but they are there and they benefit the team.

"There is more to come from me, I don’t think I have got to my top form yet."

Rangers relying on Dessers to decide Premiership title bid

Rangers returned to winning ways at St Mirren Park with Dessers' goal giving them the victory despite a fairly unconvincing performance.

Philippe Clement's side hadn't won in their three previous league matches, drawing with Celtic and Dundee either side of a shock loss at Ross County, but in Dessers, they have a striker whose goals look set to be crucial during the run-in.

Cyriel Dessers scored the third goal in his last two games for Rangers with the winner against St Mirren.

The 29-year-old has played a vital role in Rangers' return to form on multiple fronts, netting a brace against Hearts in a 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win which tees up a clash against Old Firm rivals Celtic in the decider at Hampden Park.

His winning goal against St Mirren also brought Rangers back level with Celtic at the top of the Premiership, only for the Hoops to defeat Dundee and re-establish a three-point lead.

There may only be four league games left to play this season, but with Dessers hitting top form, that's still more than enough time for the prolific striker to help turn the tide in Rangers' favour.

In other Rangers news, Women’s team boss Jo Potter was left frustrated by a delay from Celtic before their Scottish Cup semi-final.

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