Dessers has had a tough start to life at Rangers, but he would be looking to pick up the pace soon
Former Scotland international Alex McLeish says Cyriel Dessers needs to impose himself on games if he wants to succeed at Rangers, Soccernet reports.
Dessers completed a transfer from Italian Serie A side Cremonese to Scottish giants Rangers during the summer in a deal with €5million.
The 28-year-old arrived at Ibrox with high expectations, but he has not lived up to the billing yet. Dessers has registered two goals and three assists in nine appearances across all competitions for the Gers.
Unfortunately for him, the fans have not been entirely intrigued by his performances and coach Michael Beale has had to alternate between him and Brazilian Danilo.
Scotland legend McLeish has also not been impressed by Dessers’ displays. He feels the former Genk man needs to be more rugged and give defenders a tough time.
“We’ve still to see these new guys bare their teeth,” McLeish said about Dessers and Danilo per Scottish Sun per Football Scotland.
“The Celtic game was disappointing as they had a couple of rookies in defence, and the Rangers centre-forwards never laid a glove on them.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way, but they should have been running them ragged. Fair play to the two young defenders. They came out of it with flying colours. But from Rangers’ point of view, the forwards didn’t turn up.
“We know the rules are different now, players don’t get away with the niggly things of years ago because the camera picks everything up. But you’ve still got to be robust and impose yourself on your opponent, especially centre-forwards against defenders.
“They have to assert themselves to become future Rangers legends. That has to start right now. With the likes of Dessers, he has to bare his teeth.
“They have to assert themselves to become future Rangers legends. That has to start right now. With the likes of Dessers, he has to bare his teeth.”
Rangers play Real Betis in the Europa League on Saturday, and Dessers would be looking to return to his best.
