Dessers nominated by Rangers as player of the month
Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers has been nominated for Rangers’ Player of the Month for April. The 29-year-old ended the month strongly with three goals and an assist for the Gers.
Having returned from the international break in late March, where he scored in Nigeria’s 2-1 win against West African rivals Ghana, Dessers carried his excellent form into the Scottish Premier League.
The 27-year-old kicked off April in impressive fashion when he provided an assist in Rangers’ hard-fought 3-3 draw with rivals Celtic – a result which ensured Philippe Clement’s side remained in the title race.
He was, however, unable to repeat his heroics in the club’s next two matches, drawing blanks against Ross County and Dundee United, as Rangers suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the former while settling for a draw against the latter.
The final two weeks of the month, however, saw Dessers return to form to help Rangers fight on two fronts. The former Cremonese forward netted a sensational double on April 21 when the Gers beat Hearts 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup to book their place in the final.
A week later, on April 28, Dessers was once again on the score sheet, this time scoring a late winner as Rangers recorded an important 2-1 victory over St. Mirren in the league to keep their title hopes alive.
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For his impressive displays in the month, Dessers has been shortlisted for Rangers’ Player of the Month award, alongside four of his teammates. The Nigerian is in contention against goalkeeper Jack Butland, midfielder Mohamed Diomande, Rangers captain James Tavernier and midfielder Todd Cantwell.
A statement from the club announcing Dessers’ nomination highlighted his impact in the month under review, stating: “The Nigerian ended the month of April with three goals in his last two games, nodding home the winner in Paisley on Sunday afternoon.
“Indeed, the highlight of the forward’s month arrived at the national stadium when his brace powered Philippe Clement’s side to a 2-0 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.”
Dessers’ Player of the Month nomination comes as a welcome recognition for the impressive debut season he’s had at Rangers since joining the Scottish side from Cremonese last year.
The former Genk striker has had to steadily win over his manager and the fans after initially being criticised for his lack of effort despite his commendable goal record. In recent weeks, however, Dessers has received effusive praise from Rangers boss Clement, who waxed lyrical about the forward’s renewed work ethic and overall involvement following last week’s win over St. Mirren.
Dessers is currently enjoying one of his most prolific campaigns as a striker, having contributed 20 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term. His goals have helped Rangers keep in touch with Celtic in the title race and also qualify for the final of the Scottish Cup, where yet another Old Firm derby awaits on May 25.
Despite his impressive numbers, Dessers missed out on Rangers’ end-of-season awards which were held last Sunday. The Nigeria international was beaten to the men’s top goalscorer award by Tavenier, who has 24 goals this season.
Rabbi Matondo’s strike against Celtic was also voted as the goal of the season, while goalkeeper Butland picked up the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards. Dessers, however, looks set to continue as the club’s first-choice striker beyond the current season after delivering the goods in his debut campaign in the Scottish topflight. The Nigerian could also end the season with two trophies, with Rangers currently just three points behind Celtic and also in the final of the Scottish Cup.