Rangers are discovering for the first time since 2020/21 what happens when a football club has three strikers to select from.
Danilo may be out injured for the time being, but the manager has been able to rotate, pair them together, and keep all three of his squad’s primary forwards fresh despite playing every few days.
Cyriel Dessers appeared to be departing Rangers at the end of 2024, but his agency explained why the 30-year-old remains at Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers got numerous offers to leave Rangers.
Dessers has recently received unwavering support from Philippe Clement, and for good reason.
The Rangers No. 9 has been in some of his greatest form in a Light Blue jersey, even when he hasn’t scored a goal.
Against Ross County, his link up play and movement outside of the box was as impressive as it’s been and all that was missing was a goal.
Ironically, this is one of the reasons why Cagliari opted not to make a bid for Dessers, because of question marks regarding his overall play.
There was nothing wrong with his figures, so he wasn’t short on offers:
“There is still a lot of probing, but clubs are pushing far less. “Look at Cyriel Dessers: he had ten offers, but the market was much more difficult at the time,” Stijn Francis told Sporza.
“Many people wanted to rent him, but the Rangers wanted to sell. And that’s not good for the player’s concentration.”
Were the Rangers right to keep Dessers?
Rangers are correct to hold out because money has been saved elsewhere, even if there have been no actual transfer payments paid.
Dessers’ problem was that when he wasn’t scoring, he didn’t contribute much.
That has all changed with Clement’s modest adjustment in the system.
Having to watch Danilo and Igamane from the sidelines has undoubtedly had an impact on him.
Given that the Moroccan international is paid a modest £7,200 a week, Dessers’ pay can be more easily borne when seen as part of a group of three rather than on his own.
If he was sold, with Rangers reportedly asking for £3.35 million, it would free up wage space and money to replace him.
Nils Koppen should have the next Igamane ready, just in case.
