Rangers manager Philippe Clement says the reason why Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers lost his starting spot was due to the evolution of Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane.
Dessers’ last nine league appearances for the Gers have been off the bench, while he was an unused substitute in three games within the period. He was a 90th-minute substitute in Rangers’ 3-0 win over Aberdeen in midweek but got his name on the scoresheet despite the limited time.
The Nigeria international recently spoke openly about his lack of game time and also indicated his decision to leave the club if it persists but stressed the difficulty of getting a good club during the January transfer window.
Igamane began the season as the understudy to Dessers but has taken over the starting position in recent weeks as a result of his consistency in front of goal. After failing to find the back of the net in his first nine league games, the 22-year-old has hit top form, grabbing nine goals in his last Scottish Premiership appearances.
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The Moroccan has found the back of the net 13 times and provided three assists in 25 games across all competitions, while Dessers has 13 goals and four assists in 32 games across all competitions for the club this season.
Speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference ahead of their Scottish Cup 4th Round clash against Fraserburgh FC, the Belgian tactician revealed that the 30-year-old has been a fantastic player for the club, but he only had a reduced time due to Igamane’s form.
“I spoke with Cyriel (Dessers) about why he’s playing less than before, and that’s because of the evolution of Hamza (Igamane). We will see what happens. Cyriel is working really hard. He’s a very good lad; he thinks collectively always,” Clement said.
Clement also hailed the leadership role Dessers is playing in the development of young forwards: “He’s in support of Hamza; he gives him a lot of tips in the last couple of months in the training and during games. He showed that in the last game when he came in. You don’t see in him a player that’s disappointed that he’s not starting.”
Dessers joined Rangers in the summer of 2023 from Italian Serie A side Cremonese. But despite finding the back of the net 35 times in 86 games for the club, he has failed to impress the fans, who feel he could be scoring more goals for the club and with more frequency.
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