Cyriel Dessers proud of Rangers record after late winner on landmark appearance

Cyriel Dessers expressed his pride at joining the ranks of Rangers’ 21st-century legends after scoring a dramatic late winner in the 4-3 triumph over Dundee on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Nigerian forward, who has often faced criticism for his inefficiency since his arrival from Cremonese in July 2023, silenced his detractors with his decisive strike. Earlier in the match, Dundee had looked comfortable with goals from striker Simon Murray and captain Joe Shaughnessy, who also accidentally scored an own goal just before halftime. However, Scott Tiffoney pulled Rangers ahead with a goal in the 62nd minute, only for Dundee to level the score through contributions from their skipper James Tavernier and substitute Tom Lawrence.

Dessers stepped up in the dying moments, netting his 23rd goal of the season and his 45th in 100 games for Rangers, a milestone that places him behind only Kris Boyd (68), Alfredo Morelos (57), and Shota Arveladze (48) among those who have scored in their first 100 appearances for the club this century.

Reflecting on his achievement, Dessers said, “When you say it like that, it makes me very proud. I had some difficult times when I first joined this club, but being mentioned alongside these big names shows I’m doing something right. I know the people in the building see how hard I work in the gym, on the pitch, and in training. This is the reward, so hearing that is very special to me. These are legendary figures in our club’s history.”

He added, “I know it’s been two tough years for everyone, with lots of ups and downs. We’ve had some unbelievable moments in Europe and even won a League Cup, but we didn’t secure the big prize last season. That’s normal when you don’t win the league at Rangers, but on a personal level, reaching this record fills me with pride. Of course, I want more – I know the fans want more and the manager expects more, so I’m working hard every day. We still have some crucial games left this season, and I hope to add a few more goals.”

Dessers also acknowledged a recurring problem for Rangers, noting that the team had trailed 2-0 on five occasions in their last seven matches, a pattern he believes needs to change next season. Speaking under interim manager Barry Ferguson, Dessers highlighted the importance of taking early control in games. “We’re very good at fighting back, but it would be better if we could start off strong and then play in a more controlled manner. Matches like Saturday force us to dig deep and keep fighting until the very end. This is something we need to learn if we’re to compete at the highest level. We can’t afford to have games like these every week; they cost us in the long run. We need to create more comfortable conditions for ourselves, and that’s a major goal for next season.”