Dessers becomes first Rangers striker to hit 20-goal mark in 4 years

Dessers becomes first Rangers striker to hit 20-goal mark in 4 years

Nigeria international, Cyriel Dessers has become the first Rangers striker to hit 20-goal mark in four years, reports www.sportsunlimited.ng.

And the Super Eagles striker is savouring the moment, especially the goal that lands Rangers away win to St. Mirren, which has turned to be the most important goal of his Rangers career.

The Nigeria international’s header broke a 1-1 deadlock and moved the Ibrox side temporarily level on points with Celtic before their subsequent victory at Dundee.

The strike was Dessers’ 20th for Rangers since signing last summer and makes him the first centre forward to reach that tally for the club since Alfredo Morelos four years ago.

Despite some criticism of his performances – especially earlier in the season – the former Cremonense forward always retained a confidence in his abilities and believes that faith is now being rewarded.

“I think it was important to start the [post-split fixtures] with a win,” he said. “So in those terms it was an important goal. To score 20 is a beautiful number. I looked it up last week after someone told me [I was close]. Not a lot of Rangers strikers have got to those numbers in the last few years. It’s a nice milestone for me.

“I know that throughout my career if I play minutes, I’m always going to score goals. I’m a striker who maybe isn’t the most beautiful on the eye or the cleanest. I think with me, as a striker, it’s easy to see what’s not there. But, as I am in life, I think this is a good lesson for everybody.

“You have to look at what’s there, what you get out of me and what I can do for the team. If you look only, then the numbers speak for themselves. But I’m not only talking about that.

“I’m talking about winning the battles with the defenders. About running. Last week I broke my record for high-intensity runs, for sprints. To do all of this for the team is of the same importance as scoring goals.

“These are the things people in the stands or on social media don’t see immediately but they are there and they benefit the team. So it’s about more than just the goals but I’m of course very happy to reach that number. But I want more.”