Dessers double downs Dundee, propels Rangers to League Cup semi-finals

Cyriel Dessers was linked with an exit from Rangers before the transfer window slammed shut, but the Nigerian chose to stay put.

Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, scored a brace against Dundee FC as his club side secured a semi-final spot in the Scottish League Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.

Philippe Clement’s side welcomed Dundee FC to their home ground, with the 29-year-old leading the frontline at Ibrox.

The Nigerian had scored five goals and provided two assists in eight games across all competitions for Rangers this term, and needed just 18 minutes to break the deadlock.

A brilliant through ball from Jefte freed Nedim Bajrami down the left and the Albanian swept the ball into the box for Dessers to tap home, but the former Feyenoord man was denied by Trevor Carson. The rebound fell kindly to James Tavernier who shot back on goal, with Dessers putting a foot on the ball to guide it home for the opener.

Club captain, James Tavernier, doubled Rangers’ lead from the spot five minutes after the restart, cooly slotting the penalty past Trevor Carson.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Dessers grabbed his second goal of the game. This time, Nedim Bajrami turned provider. The Albanian winger played a cross on the counter into Dessers’ path and the ex-Cremonese man launched a beautiful half-volley into Dundee’s goal to send Rangers through to the League Cup semi-final.

Rangers will now wait for the outcome of the game between Celtic and Falkirk to know their opponents for the semi-final.

Rangers are currently third on the SPFL table, five points behind their rivals, Celtic. They continue their campaign by travelling to Sweden on Thursday to take on Malmö FF at the Eleda Stadion.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

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