Philippe Clement must axe Cyriel Dessers for Rangers v Kilmarnock

Clement must axe 'ineffective' Cyriel Dessers despite what he did in Rangers v St Mirren

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

30 Apr 2024, 1:10 am

Philippe Clement must contemplate dropping Cyriel Dessers from the starting XI as Rangers prepare to face Kilmarnock on Sunday (5 May).

The forward notched the winner against St Mirren on Sunday 28 April, heading home in the 74th minute to mark his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.

Despite netting the winning goal, Dessers' performance left a lot to be desired, which follows a common trend this season, with many asking for a huge improvement from the striker.

Taking to X during the clash with St Mirren on Sunday (28 April), Joshua Barrie wrote: "Rangers really need a striker who can get them up the pitch in a game like this - whether holding the ball up or running behind. Dessers has been really ineffective."

Cyriel Dessers could be dropped ahead of Rangers v Kilmarnock

Dessers has faced Kilmarnock on three occasions since making the £4.3million switch to Ibrox last summer, as per Fabrizio Romano, and has yet to net against them.

Considering the Gers' situation at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, attempting to overhaul Celtic for the title, Clement may regret his decision if he does remove his striker from the lineup.

While the 29-year-old has reached 20 goals in all competitions for the season, Barrie is certainly correct in his statement that Rangers are in need of a striker who is much more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Rangers really need a striker who can get them up the pitch in a game like this - whether holding the ball or running behind. Dessers has been really ineffective.
— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) April 28, 2024

With just 29 touches at The SMISA Stadium on Sunday, Dessers won 44 per cent of his ground duels (4/9) and 0 per cent of his aerial duels (0/2), which suggests the Gers could do with someone who is going to hold the ball up better. [FotMob]

Clement's side certainly could have slipped up once again, with Mikael Mandron scoring an equaliser in the first half. And though Dessers did save his side from slipping further behind Celtic, his all-round display cannot be ignored.

In other Rangers news, another star man could be allowed to leave for around £4million this summer.

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