Rangers had Cyriel Dessers to thank for the win over St Mirren with nobody else in the forward line causing the home side’s defence any real problems.
Philippe Clement has never been a manager who cares where the goals come from in his squad, as long as they come.
Both goals saw Cyriel Dessers involved and, if Rangers win the league, the one scored at the SMiSA Stadium could be hugely important, with Steven Thompson giving his verdict on the much-maligned striker.
Rangers critics should lay off Cyriel Dessers
The first goal might have been an own goal, however, without the pressure from Dessers, James Bolton doesn’t fire into his own net and the Ibrox number nine gets a tap-in.
For the second, his movement and contact with the defender is enough to put him off which gave him the space for the easiest of finishes.
Then, with his defence under pressure, his run and pass for Tom Lawrence to add a third deserved just that only for Alex Gogic to make a stunning goal-line block.
Speaking after the game, Clement was asked about Cyriel Dessers important for Rangers as well as Jack Butland with the pair key to gaining three points:
“I think if you want to win trophies you need a good goalkeeper and a good striker who scores enough goals. That’s in every team in the world.
“It’s not only Cyrielscoring goals but he took already 20 so that’s a good amount but all the team has been scoring. It’s important we’re not only focused about Cyriel scoring goals, he needs to do other things also.”
Thompson agreed with Clement speaking on BBC Sportsound and, after being the matchwinner at Hampden, the 29-year old has provided another key intervention:
“Dessers has missed a lot of chances but if you end the season with over 20 goals you will be very happy with your return.
“That could be one of the most important goals he scores in a Rangers shirt.”
Rangers biggest problem isn’t Cyriel Dessers
Thompson is right.
Only at the end of the season will we really know, but it looks like Cyriel Dessers is peaking at the right time.
If the goals he has scored recently could be important to any success, so too could the misses be costly if Rangers miss out.
The one at Ross County with Rangers 1-0 and struggling to get a hold of the game could end up being the sliding doors moment for the season.
Dessers has done enough over the season to prove that he is a good player.
There is every chance that he will end the year with 30 goal contributions, all from open play.
The only issue remains the £4.5m plus fee that was paid to Cremonese in the summer.
Take a million or so off that price tag and suddenly his achievements would be seen through a different lens.
If Clement decides that he wants to move Dessers on, at least Nils Koppen can point to his numbers when looking to drum up interest.
Should he stay, Rangers have a player who can frustrate but who can also win games, almost on his own at times.
