AFCON 2025
Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers is having a fantastic season with Glasgow Rangers in the domestic and Europa leagues. Dessers has been instrumental for the Gers in both competitions, and ahead of the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao, the Scottish side will hope the 30-year-old propels them to the last four given his experience and consistency in front of goal so far.
Rangers host Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at the Ibrox Stadium on Thursday night, and Cyriel Dessers is one of the players coach Barry Ferguson will rely on to the damage against the visitors.
Cyriel Dessers has what it takes to help Rangers get to the last four of the competition based on the following factors.
1. Proven goal-scoring ability
Cyriel Dessers is a proven goalscorer and has been consistent for Rangers this season in the league and on the continent. The Super Eagles striker currently has 18 goals across all competitions. He is arguably Rangers’ best player in the Europa League with seven goal contributions in 10 matches. He has the knack for scoring against big sides in Europe with goals against Manchester United and Fenerbache in the league phase and the second round respectively.
2. Experience
Dessers is very experienced in the Europa League, and Glasgow Rangers will hope to rely on him when they host the Spanish on Thursday. Cyriel Dessers bagged 10 goals in 12 and finished as the top scorer of the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League while playing for his former club Feyenoord. He is a seasoned campaigner in European competitions, and his experience could see Rangers qualify for the semi-finals over Bilbao.
3. Dynamism
What kind of a stiker is Cyriel Dessers? He is not just a “box 18” striker who just waits for midfielders or wingers to feed him with passes. He offers much more as a striker, as he knows how to run behind defenders to get goals. He also holds up play for other forwards to pounce on. Cyriel Dessers, when he is not scoring goals, provides assists for his teammates, which exemplifies his selflessness for the team. He is also a clutch striker, having scored several late goals this season. In Cyriel Dessers, Rangers have a striker they can rely on for not just goals but also assists, link-up play, aerial duels, and so on.
