Andy Halliday never played with Kemar Roofe at Rangers.
The former Ibrox midfielder was released at the end of his contract in the summer of 2020, with Kemar Roofe joining from Anderlecht months later.
Whilst that summer preceded Rangers lifting their 55th title, injury has domintated Roofe’s four years in Glasgow with his contract up in the summer.
Speaking about the striker situation at Rangers, Andy Halliday has questioned the clamour for Kemar Roofe to replace Cyriel Dessers in the lineup.
Not only throwing his support behind Nigerian international Dessers, the Motherwell midfielder reckons Jamaican counterpart Kemar Roofe might be on his way out of Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers is Rangers’ “best striker”
Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard (15/04/24), Andy Halliday started by discussing Rangers’ shortcomings in January.
With a striker top of the Ibrox support’s wish list, Portuguese forward Fabio Silva joined on loan amid plenty of speculation around Lawrence Shankland.
Claiming that the Portuguese is anything but an “out-and-out” striker, Halliday reckons Dessers is a nailed on starter for Rangers in the run-in.
The comments come amid much criticism of Cyriel Dessers, who once again spurned his chance in the defeat to Ross County.
“Any Rangers fan will agree (the club had to sign a striker in January),” said Halliday.
“Going into the January window you knew that Philippe Clement was going to maybe bring in two or three players.
“You felt as if that real priority position was that out-and-out striker, they feel as if they brought that in with Fabio Silva.
“But I think anyone that’s watched him he’s never seemed like an out-and-out striker, he’s always someone who wants to be arriving in the box or driving at a back four rather than somebody who wants to play with his back to goal.
“Dessers is going to play at the weekend and then he’ll play the next week and the week after that because, to be honest, he’s the best striker Rangers have got just now for me.”
Andy Halliday says “no doubt” about Kemar Roofe future
This led on to a discussion about Kemar Roofe, with Andy Halliday asked if Cyriel Dessers was better than the recovering Rangers hitman.
Raising questions about Roofe’s contribution to Rangers over four seasons, the midfielder is clear that he believes the striker will be moved on when his contract is up in the summer.
Asked if Dessers is better than Kemar Roofe, Andy Halliday said: “For me, yeah.
“Where’s the evidence that Kemar Roofe is as good as people make out that he is when he’s injured?
“Listen he’s done OK for Rangers, he’s done well at times, but what’s the most consecutive that Kemar Roofe’s played? I don’t imagine it’s that many.”
When asked if Kemar Roofe is likely to leave in the summer, Halliday added: “Aw yeah, I don’t think there’s any doubt about it.
“Listen, we know there’s talent there but he’s obviously not been very fit and – I’m speculating here – but you imagine he’s on quite a big wage.
“Especially with the sum that Rangers paid to bring him to the football club.
“But for me I think Dessers is Rangers’ best striker at the moment, I think he’s going to continue to play.”
Cyriel Dessers has made 47 appearances for Rangers since a £5m move from Cremonese in the summer, contributing towards 25 goals, scoring 17.
Kemar Roofe – who cost a similar amount back in 2020 – has made 21 appearances this campaign, starting only seven games and scoring only two goals.
