Rangers told to make Cyriel Dessers transfer call as last-gasp Ibrox exit mooted
Barry Ferguson has told Rangers that they cannot let Cyriel Dessers exit Ibrox this summer amid links with a last-minute transfer.
The Nigerian forward has been linked with a move away from Glasgow throughout the summer and reports suggest he may emerge as a target for Cagliari in the final days of the window [Soccernet, 11 August].
While Dessers has come in for plenty of criticism from pundits and supporters in the past, Go Radio pundit Ferguson doesn’t believe the Light Blues can afford to lose him, even if they sign a new number nine.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (12 August, 19:30) he said: “Big Dessers comes in with another goal.
“I know he comes in for a lot of criticism but I spoke about it last week, one thing the big man gives you is 100 per cent.
“Listen, he’s scored two goals in two games, 22 goals last year and I don’t think you can get rid of him.
“I know Rangers still need in my eyes another number nine to come in for competition, but I like the big man’s attitude, sometimes he lacks that bit of quality, but if he had that quality he’d be playing somewhere else in a different league.”
Will Cyriel Dessers exit Rangers amid Ibrox transfer rumours?
As Ferguson suggests, Dessers is far from perfect but if he was he certainly wouldn’t be playing for Rangers at this stage of his career.
A lot of the criticism levelled at the centre-forward over the last 12 months or so has been fairly deserved as the Nigerian international has been guilty of wasting good scoring chances and struggling in the biggest games.
But he has a knack for popping up with goals whenever the team need him to. His record may not be astonishing, but he has started the season in good form and looks brighter now that he is getting some actual service from the likes of Vaclav Cerny.
A new striker should still be a target for Philippe Clement between now and the end of the transfer window, but that should be somebody who can play alongside and support Desssers rather than an out-and-out replacement.
Hopefully, the Gers will be able to hold off any last-minute interest or bids that arrive for the forward.
In other Rangers news, one “unbelievable” Gers star has left Andy Halliday blown away following his display at Hampden Park
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