Cyriel Dessers slammed by BBC pundit after what he did in Rangers draw v Dynamo Kyiv
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers was labelled as "sleeping" after failing to provide an outlet for his team-mates in the 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kyiv.
Speaking on co-commentary for BBC Sportsound (6 August, 8:20pm), Derek Ferguson said Dessers had to respond to the work his team-mates were doing after a ball towards him in the second half didn't stick.
Dessers ended up having the last laugh, ghosting in at the near post to equalise for the Gers with the last kick of the game, ensuring Philippe Clement's side will go into the second leg level on aggregate.
Ferguson said in the 63rd minute: “The guys in the middle of the park, they’re working their socks off, they’re making the tackles, and Dessers? He’s sleeping, basically.
“He’s got to acknowledge how hard the players are working behind him, and he’s got to be really switched on – when that ball comes forward, he’s got to be ready to accept it and hold it in.”
Cyriel Dessers has room to improve despite being Rangers' hero
Still by far and away the go-to centre-forward option at Ibrox (due to no fault of his own), Dessers started against Dynamo as expected and seemingly looked set to end another game without finding the net.
The Gers were much-improved from their 0-0 draw with Hearts on 3 August, but that still didn't seem to help Dessers find his shooting boots, with big gaps opening up between the Nigerian and his midfield.
Scott Wright and Ross McCausland starting in place of new signing Vaclav Cerny was a head-scratcher before kick-off, and the winger's introduction off the bench finally gave Dessers the service he needed.
Being in the right place at the right time proved to be the answer for Dessers right at the last as he steered home Cerny's pinpoint cross, but the striker's all-round game must improve to keep his place.
Reports have suggested that Dessers must be sold in order to bring in a new striker [Chris Jack, 5 August], but should he continue to come up with big goals and big moments, Clement will be in no hurry to move him on.
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