Rangers continue to surprise the continent when it comes to the levels that they are capable of compared to the fare being served up domestically.
Ibrox went from being a fortress to having the fortitude of a sand castle over night with Barry Ferguson’s appointment as Rangers manager doing little to change things.
One man trying to make a difference is Cyriel Dessers who continues to defy the odds to be a hero for Rangers.
It looked like the 30-year old was leaving in the summer to Atlanta United only for the striker to knock back personal terms.
A similar story followed in January when Calgiari were linked only for their owner to explain why a move wasn’t made.
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Photo by Ahmad Mora - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Ahmad Mora – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Cyriel Dessers improvement could see Rangers transfer rethink
The decision Rangers have now is whether or not to actually sell Dessers given the improvements that he has made this season.
Not only has he matched the number of goals he scored last season already and is just a couple of assists shy with 22 and seven, he has improved where it matters most – accuracy.
Dessers has played fewer minutes, but his conversion rate when shooting has gone from 15.5% to 23.4%.
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Erling Haaland’s is 18% since January 2024, according to Statmuse.
The number of big chances missed has also gone down from 27 to 13, it would take a monumental drop in form to get anywhere near that tally this season.
Should Rangers keep Danilo or Dessers?
What was noticeable against Fenerbahce that, with another forward closer to him, Dessers looks more confident and less isolated.
The five goals in his last seven league games have come, mainly, with Hamza Igamane supporting him too, yes, the results of the team have been poor, but this isn’t all on the Rangers No.9.
Playing 4-2-3-1 just doesn’t suit Dessers with two wingers on the touchline and a No.10 dropping deep to build play.
Danilo looks like a more rounded footballer, a better technician with more pace, however, if there were bids on the table for both players in the summer, the Brazilian is the one that should be sold.
Strikers that contribute to over 30 goals a season from open play don’t grow on trees and Rangers have one who is available for every game.