Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has lauded his Rangers teammates for their performance against Manchester United despite their disappointing 2-1 loss on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Gers played their penultimate game of the Europa League group stage when they traveled to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in Thursday.
Going into the fixture, both teams needed a win to put them automatic round of 16 qualification spots. Manchester United were expected to grab all three points due to their better quality and pedigree in Europe. However, the Red Devils have been poor in recent weeks, so Rangers still had an outsiders chance.
After a goalless first half, the goals started coming in the second half. Manchester United opened the scoring in the first half courtesy of a Jack Butland own goal. However, Rangers stunned them in the 88th minute with a goal from Dessers.
Just as it seemed like both sides would settle for a draw, Manchester United struck against through Bruno Fernandes in stoppage time. That ensured that the game ended 2-1 in the Red Devils' favour.
After the game, Dessers expressed dissatisfaction with the result. However, he lauded his teammates' efforts.
“It is difficult to take at the end, especially because of the rollercoaster of emotions at the end,” Dessers said.
“At first you feel that you are going to walk away with a point from Old Trafford and then you let it slip and that hurts.
“I think we can be very proud of the performance, to come here, with a team with a few injuries before the game and then we picked up some more during the game.
“Young guys had to come in and I think they did an unbelievable job, they put in a great shift in work ethic, courage, in playing forward.
“It is only their second or third game at this level and that is a big compliment.
“We thought we had got our reward against a very good team but then it hurts with the result at the end.”
Dessers scored in his second consecutive game, and he would be proud with his newly-found form.
The Super Eagles star will be looking to continue his goalscoring form and regain his starting shirt at the Ibrox Stadium. Rangers' next Europa League game is against Royale Union SG next week.
