Tag: Cyriel Dessers

Cyriel Dessers is on the verge of leaving Rangers, with reports confirming that Greek giants Panathinaikos have struck a €5 million agreement to sign the Nigerian striker. He is expected to step in as a direct replacement for outgoing forward Fotis Ioannidis.

Dessers’ departure comes hot on the heels of Hamza Igamane’s move to Lille, leaving the Ibrox side with depleted firepower in attack. The situation compounds Rangers’ woes on the pitch, as their 1–1 draw with Celtic extended a poor run of just two wins in their last ten matches across all competitions.

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The 29-year-old only recently returned from a knee injury sustained during the Champions League qualification clash against Viktoria Plzen. He made his comeback in the high-stakes Old Firm derby after nearly three weeks on the sidelines.

His return is also timely for Nigeria, with head coach Eric Chelle including him in the Super Eagles’ 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The West Africans host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 6, before traveling to face South Africa on September 9 in two crucial fixtures.

Rangers’ manager Russell Martin has voiced confidence that Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers will remain at Ibrox despite ongoing transfer speculations.

Dessers, a key figure for the Scottish Premiership side since the start of the season, has been linked with a potential move away this summer.

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However, Martin dismissed the speculation, stressing that the Super Eagles forward has shown no inclination to leave.

Speaking ahead of Rangers’ UEFA Champions League second-leg qualifier, Martin said: “He trains properly, performs with the team, and has been fantastic. Cyriel is very experienced, while some of the other players are still young, so things will be clearer in the next ten days.

“No, Cyriel hasn’t asked to leave. Not once. We’ve had many discussions, but he’s been fully committed, and we’ll see how things develop.”

Rangers manager Russell Martin has revealed that Nigerian international Cyriel Dessers is unlikely to be fit for Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash against St. Mirren.

Dessers sustained an ankle injury during the Light Blues’ UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg clash against Viktoria Plzen.

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Speaking during his press conference, Martin revealed the Super Eagles forward only returned to light training on Friday, prompting concerns over his availability.

Rangers manager Russell Martin remains optimistic that Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers will be fit for tomorrow’s  decisive UEFA Champions League return leg at Ibrox, after injury concerns following their midweek European fixture.

Dessers was forced off during Rangers’ 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round second leg – a result that leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg in Glasgow. His withdrawal raised fears of a potential knee injury that could side-line him during a crucial phase of the season.

However, speaking after Rangers’ comfortable 3-0 Scottish Cup victory over Alloa Athletic on Saturday, Martin delivered a more encouraging update on his striker’s condition.

 “Cyriel’s injury is thankfully not as bad as we first thought,” Martin confirmed. “The cup game came too soon for him, but we’re really hopeful he’ll be ready for Tuesday night at Ibrox.”

Martin admitted the sight of Dessers limping off had sparked real concern, but medical assessments have provided relief.

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 “Everyone feared the worst when he came off like that, but it’s turned out to be a small issue – nothing like what we feared initially,” he explained. “He’s still a bit sore and stiff, but the medical team and Cyriel himself have worked really hard. We’re doing everything we can to give him the best chance of being available for Tuesday.”

The Rangers boss emphasised just how vital the second leg is for their season – and how important Dessers could be in the push for a group-stage spot.

“Tuesday is massive for us. We need everyone fit and firing. Having Cyriel available would be a big boost – not just for his quality, but for the belief he gives the team. We’ll give him every chance.”

Martin also touched on the need to rotate his squad during this intense run of fixtures, with five games across two competitions in just 14 days.

Despite making changes against Alloa, his side advanced with authority, thanks to goals from Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo, and Kemar Roofe.

With the return leg against Plzen now just days away, all eyes will remain on Dessers’ recovery – and whether he can lead the line in one of Rangers’ most important matches of the season.

Scottish giants Rangers have received an offer of around £5m from AEK Athens for Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers.

There is uncertainty about Dessers’ future as the club are considering whether to sell him after his strong performance in the first start of the season.

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He scored a goal and made an assist for Rangers to take a 3-0 lead against Viktoria Plzen from Czech Republic in a UEFA Champions League qualifier.

His former coach, Billy Dodds, warned that selling him might hurt Rangers.

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers remains of interest to AEK Athens.

The 30-year-old finished top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season, with 18 goals.

Should Hamza Igamane or Dessers depart, it is understood the club are looking at various options, including Israeli forward Dor Turgeman, meanwhile at the other end, interest remains in Leicester defender Conor Coady.

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Rangers returned for pre-season training this week and signed Max Aarons from Bournemouth on loan, however, another target Kwame Poku is closing in on a move to QPR.

Head coach Russell Martin told Sky Sports News last week that he expects “a few” new signings ahead of the club’s Champions League second round qualifier against Panathinaikos at the end of July.

Thirteen-time Greek champions AEK Athens have reportedly set their sights on Cyriel Dessers as they seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window.

Dessers, who joined Scottish side Rangers from Italian club Cremonese for €5 million in 2023, has enjoyed an impressive season, notching 28 goals and seven assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.

Despite criticism from sections of the Rangers fanbase earlier in the season, the Nigerian international has emerged as a key figure under manager Barry Ferguson.

The 30-year-old came close to an exit in January, amid interest from clubs in Spain and Italy, but opted to stay at Ibrox and fight for his place.

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His commitment paid off as he led the line admirably, even though Rangers ultimately ended the season without silverware.

Now, with a change in ownership at Rangers and the likelihood of a new head coach arriving in the summer, uncertainty looms over Dessers’ future at the club.

According to Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, AEK Athens are monitoring the striker’s situation closely as they look to reinforce their forward line.

AEK are in the market for a new striker following the February sale of Trinidad and Tobago forward Levi Garcia to Spartak Moscow for a club-record €20 million.

Super Eagles attacker, Cyriel Dessers is thrilled he has been able to score a goal in the fiercely contested Old Firm derby against Celtic after going so close last season but had his strike ruled out.

The Rangers forward scored the game’s opening goal in the 44^th  minute before Adam Idah equalised for Celtic in the 57^th  minute.

The Nigerian could not contain his joy:

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“Scoring in an Old Firm match at Ibrox is an unbelievable feeling,” Dessers told the club’s media. “I had one last season that was ruled out, so this one felt amazing.”

Reflecting on the goal, he added :”It was a beautiful team move. We broke quickly, I saw Diomande, he picked me out, and Vaclav made a clever step-over and read the situation perfectly.”

Dessers has now netted 25 goals in all competitions this season for Rangers with seven assists from 52 games.