Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers made a thunderous return to the starting lineup on Tuesday night, inspiring a commanding 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

The Rangers boss, Russell Martin, couldn’t hide his delight at the Nigerian striker’s all-action display at Ibrox, Footballrover reports.

Rangers Boss Applauds Cyriel Dessers’ All-Round Impact

The 30-year-old Super Eagles star, who had been restricted to bench appearances so far this season, marked his return with a goal and an assist—proving why he remains an important piece in the Rangers attack.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the Rangers coach offered insight into why Dessers had not featured more prominently in previous matches.

— “We haven’t been able to play Cyriel from the start yet because he played one game against Middlesbrough and got a bit of an injury, so we’ve been managing him back to get him on the pitch. He did great tonight,” Martin revealed.

It wasn’t just the goal contributions that stood out. The Rangers gaffer was equally impressed by Dessers’ off-the-ball intelligence and ability to elevate those around him.

— “We scored some real quality goals tonight. Cyriel [Dessers] did a brilliant job attracting players so others could run in behind, and he took the ball in well,” Martin added.

Transfer Cloud Looms Despite Viktoria Plzen Heroics

While Dessers reaffirmed his value in the victory over Plzen, speculation around his future continues to swirl.

Reports have linked the striker with a potential move to Greek champions AEK Athens, with Rangers reportedly seeking a transfer fee close to €5 million.

Despite the uncertainty, the Nigerian forward—Rangers’ top scorer from last season—remains focused on the task at hand: helping the Scottish giants progress to the UEFA Champions League group stage.

As the transfer window edges toward closure, a decision on Dessers’ future is expected soon.

Until then, we only hope his match-winning performance against Plzen becomes a turning point for both player and club.

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Last Updated on August 6, 2025 6:27 am by Sir Kris