After scoring what might turn out to be a crucial equaliser in Rangers’ quest for a Champions League group stage spot, Cyriel Dessers claims he does not “need to answer” his detractors.
The Nigerian striker has received a lot of criticism throughout his time in Scotland, even though he scored 22 goals in his first season at Ibrox.
The 29-year-old wasted opportunities in Tuesday’s Champions League first-leg qualifying match against Dynamo Kyiv and Saturday’s goalless draw with Heart of Midlothian, continuing the theme from last season.
But Dessers kept a cool head to net a 94th-minute leveller in Lublin and reacted to the dramatic finale by saying, “It would be nice to get more recognition.”.”As a striker, you have to believe,” he told BBC Scotland. “Even if it is an impossible ball or you don’t think it will fall.
“I knew it was the last ball into the box in the game, and that was the case. I was happy to be at the end of it.”I don’t have to answer people; I’m just doing my job for the team, for the manager, and for myself. That’s the only thing that matters.
“It would be nice to get more recognition for what you do, but I get the recognition inside the building, and that’s the most important thing.”
Dessers recognises “there are always reactions from the media” and a “small part” of the support, but the striker feels “a lot of love” from a “bigger part” of the fanbase.There have been calls for Philippe Clement to find an upgrade on the Nigerian if he is to guide the Ibrox side to a Scottish Premiership title.
Meanwhile, Nigeria teammate Leon Balogun has jumped to the defence of the striker, backing him to deliver this season.
“What do you mean by how confident I am of him? I think he’s scored quite a number of goals for us already, and the season just started last weekend,” Balogun said, per Rangers TV.
“I looked at him last season, and I think he scored quite a significant number of goals, so I am confident.”
