Rangers stars react as Cyriel Dessers posts emotional farewell message

Cyriel Dessers departed Rangers on transfer deadline day after two years at Ibrox, and has paid an emotional tribute.

Rangers moved on from Dessers despite the striker finishing as the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season, with Dessers joining Panathinaikos in Greece.

Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti have both joined Rangers as centre-forward options, after a summer rebuild with mixed success.

Dessers was heavily criticised during his time at Rangers despite his goals, but was well respected for his professionalism, and his teammates have now bid farewell to the 30-year-old.

Cyriel Dessers pays emotional tribute to Rangers

The striker spent two seasons at Ibrox, scoring 52 goals in 116 games, but Dessers also missed countless chances and caused a lot of frustration.

In a post on Instagram, Dessers said it was an "honour" to play for Rangers, and several teammates reacted.

"It was an absolute honour to wear the number nine at Rangers, something that will fill me with pride for the rest of my life," he wrote.

"I wish everybody at Rangers all the best, take good care of the club, you guys are so important.

"I want to thank the fans that supported me. If you can push and support the players, big things will be within reach for this beautiful club."

Here's how some of his former teammates responded:

• Liam Kelly: "You are a great man."
• Ryan Jack: "Good luck mate."
• Kemar Roofe: "All the best big man."
• Rabbi Matondo: "Love ya brudda💙 go smash it."
• Robbie Fraser: "I wish you all the best Cyriel. Thank you for everything."
• Nedim Bajrami: "Bomber 🤝"
• Mason Munn: "CD9 all the best 👏👏"

• Read more: Aaron Ramsey and Newcastle trio – Rangers’ biggest deadline day shockers

Cyriel Dessers earns Rangers respect over professionalism

Dessers was one of two strikers who left Rangers in recent days, with Hamza Igamane also joining Lille after impressing last season.

The circumstances of their exit were very different, though. Igamane lost all respect from Rangers fans as he refused to play before sealing his move, despite the team being short of options.

Dessers, meanwhile, came on as a substitute in Rangers' 0-0 draw with Celtic a day before his transfer, and also appeared throughout the early qualifying rounds in the Champions League, giving his all while he was still under contract.

While he was not all too popular during his bad spells, history may be kind to Dessers, given his goal record in a difficult time for the club, as well as his commitment and professionalism in a squad which has often lacked it.

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