Craig Moore shares honest Dessers verdict after Rangers transfer decision
Craig Moore has defended “genuine” Cyriel Dessers after Rangers opted against a sale in the winter transfer window.
According to his agent [voetbalnieuws], the 30-year-old had 10 offers on the table to leave Ibrox heading into Deadline Day after falling behind Hamza Igamane and Danilo in the pecking order.
However, a late change in heart from the board meant the Nigerian will stay put until the end of the season, and ex-Gers man Moore lauded his “mental strength” when speaking to the Daily Record (5 February) as he looks to overturn his fortunes at Ibrox for the remainder of the campaign.
“He’s an instinctive striker. But when there’s a little bit too much time, then his success rate hasn’t been as high as he’d like. So that’s led to the supporter base getting on his back a little bit at times. However, I think he’s a really, really genuine player. He’s very honest.
“Good, bad or indifferent, he turns up and he gives it absolutely everything. So, as much as I’ve kind of seen the frustration he gives the fans, it’s certainly not through lack of desire, hunger or effort.
“And the thing I like about him is that mental strength. His ability to shrug off the poor moments and go again. We’ve all seen players with better profiles struggle at Ibrox who end up leaving the club with a whimper because they’ve not been able to shoulder the weight of the jersey.
“I know the guys in charge of recruitment at the club will be looking at all different kinds of metrics when they are looking at a player’s profile. But I think the biggest quality needed at this football club is character.
“Once you find people made of the right stuff, then look for all the technicality areas and all that sort of stuff. But if you’re not a strong character, you can’t survive at this club.”
Cyriel Dessers can still be a success story at Rangers
Under normal circumstances, a forward boasting 18 goals and six assists in 37 appearances would be the last man on the mind when discussing Rangers’ ongoing problems.
Nevertheless, Dessers has often been the scapegoat throughout the season, as his missed chances rather than those converted remain a hot topic of discussion at Ibrox.
Indeed, Igamane and Danilo have impressed since pushing the Nigerian out of the first-team fold, but he still comfortably stands as the top goalscorer for the Gers thus far.
Furthermore, his recent form has been electric, with six goals and one assist in his last six outings, including a hattrick in the Scottish Cup against Fraserburgh (19 January) and a wonderful goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Dessers will undoubtedly play a pivotal role between now and the end of the season, despite a summer exit remaining very much on the cards [Scottish Daily Mail].
Although the Scottish Premiership campaign is all but decided, with Celtic boasting a 13-point gap at the top of the table, Europa League knockout football still needs to be played, and Rangers are in a fantastic position to progress into the latter rounds, while they are very much in contention for the Scottish Cup.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have been namechecked in a new VAR “unmitigated disaster”.
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