Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has expressed confidence in Cyriel Dessers’ ability amid doubts from a section of Rangers fans, Soccernet.ng reports.
Dessers joined Rangers from Cremonese last summer in a deal worth €5 million. The Nigerian striker was coming off a bad campaign in Serie A, but Rangers looked like the perfect place to return to his best.
The 29-year-old striker had a tough start to life in Glasgow, but he soon picked up the pace and started producing the goals for the Gers. Last season, he registered 21 goals and seven assists in 54 appearances for Rangers.
However, even with his decent goal returns, many Rangers fans dislike Dessers as they believe he is not prolific enough to lead the club to win silverware.
This even fuelled talks that he would exit the club this summer amid links with Greek Super Lig club PAOK, albeit nothing concrete has emerged from those talks yet.
Rangers took on Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers on tuesday, and before the game, Nigeria defender Balogun who was on press duties was queried about his expectations from Dessers this season.
Balogun did not mince words, as he pulled his entire weight behind Dessers and backed him to deliver this season.
“What do you mean 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.”
Dessers turned out to be Rangers’ hero in their 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kyiv on tuesday, as he scored a last-minute equaluzer. He would be looking to do better this season and help the Gers win the highly coveted Premiership trophy.