Chris Jack gives Cyriel Dessers transfer verdict amid Rangers striker pursuit
Rangers would need to sell Cyriel Dessers to have any chance of signing an upgrade striker before 30 August, according to Chris Jack.
Speaking on the Rangers Review (5 August), Jack said that Philippe Clement’s side has next to no chance of sealing a big-money move for a new striker with both Dessers and Danilo still on the books.
The Gers have been heavily linked with the likes of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland this summer, while Dessers has also been mooted to make a move abroad [Daily Record, 24 July].
Jack said: “If you say we need an upgrade on Cryiel Dessers, that’s going to be a £3-4-5million striker (who) demands wages at that level, which Rangers clearly don’t have.
“Until Dessers leaves, I don’t see how they can carry another striker of that level.
“You can’t have a £5m new recruit, plus a £4m Dessers, plus a £6m Danilo, all on the thick end of £30,000-a-week when you only play one striker.”
Rangers must make quick Cyriel Dessers transfer decision
A drab 0-0 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle was hardly the most inspiring way for the Gers to begin their 2024/25 campaign, and only highlighted the need for further additions at Ibrox this summer.
Connor Barron was the only new face in the starting side against Hearts, with Dessers once again leading the line-up front and failing to find the net amid a passive performance at Tynecastle.
Clement’s main centre-forward transfer target was wearing the number nine jersey for their opposition, and it’s becoming clearer still that if Rangers do want Shankland, they need to step up the chase.
As emphasised by Jack, finances won’t allow the Scottish international to come in if both Dessers and Danilo are still on the books, and as such the Belgian needs to make a difficult decision.
Dessers’ profligacy in front of goal hasn’t shown any sign of letting up with the new season underway and bringing in Shankland as a direct replacement may be the only way Clement can spin any positivity out of this transfer window.
In other Rangers news, Neil McCann gave his view on the controversial Connor Barron handball incident at Tynecastle on Saturday.
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