Cyriel Dessers: Red-hot Nigeria and Rangers star earns Player of the Month nod after Dundee winner

Cyriel Dessers has been nominated for Rangers’ Player of the Month award for March after a string of influential performances in a key period of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria international played a pivotal role for the Light Blues throughout the month, scoring two crucial goals and providing an assist in both domestic and European competition.

The 30-year-old striker was on target in Rangers’ dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Dundee at the weekend, netting a stoppage-time winner on what was his 100th appearance for the club.

Dessers also impressed in Europe, recording a goal and an assist in the Gers’ UEFA Europa League triumph over Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

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Explaining the striker’s nomination, Rangers said in a statement on their official website:

“Cyriel capped off his 100th appearance for the Light Blues with a dramatic stoppage time winner against Dundee on Saturday evening.

“The Nigerian forward also contributed heavily to the side’s victory in Istanbul and he is certainly a player who is enjoying a purple patch in front of goal under Barry Ferguson.”

Dessers will battle for the monthly accolade alongside teammates Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, Vaclav Cerny, and John Souttar.

Despite his recent heroics, Dessers has faced criticism for missing some clear-cut chances this season.

However, Rangers assistant coach Neil McCann has leapt to his defence, urging fans to appreciate the striker’s tireless work rate and continued goal threat.

“Cyriel Dessers will always divide opinion because he will miss chances, but this is the life of a striker,” McCann told the club’s website.

“I was so proud of him after the game (against Dundee) because he didn’t stop pushing and making runs – we need to create chances for him and that is what we are doing.”

Dessers has now scored 22 goals and registered seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for Rangers this season and he continues to enjoy growing importance under new boss Barry Ferguson.

With Rangers battling on multiple fronts and every goal carrying weight, Dessers’ timely return to form could yet prove vital in the final stretch of the campaign.