Super Eagles striker wins top scorer award – but says “It’s not the trophy we wanted”

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has described his Scottish Premiership Golden Boot win as a “wee reward for never giving up” after a turbulent season with Rangers, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria international netted 18 goals in 35 league appearances to top the 2024/25 scoring chart, finishing ahead of Celtic’s Daizen Maeda and Dundee’s Simon Murray, who both ended on 16 goals.

While delighted with the accolade, Dessers admitted the achievement feels bittersweet after Rangers failed to win the league title.

Super Eagles striker Dessers wins top scorer award – but says “It’s not the trophy we wanted”

“Scottish Premiership Top Scorer 2024-25. Not the big trophy we all wanted, but a wee reward for never giving up…” the 29-year-old wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Scottish Premiership Top Scorer 2024-25

Not the big trophy we all wanted, but a wee reward for never giving up…@RangersFC pic.twitter.com/dh1jTnwfgk

— Cyriel Dessers (@CyrielDessers) May 19, 2025

Dessers’ journey at Ibrox has been a rollercoaster since his arrival two seasons ago. Praised for his tireless running and physical presence, he’s also been criticised for erratic finishing, with a modest 22% conversion rate that raised questions over his consistency.

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• “He’ll outscore him” – Former Burnley midfielder rates Cyriel Dessers above Celtic forward
• Despite Premiership title disappointment, Cyriel Dessers scoops top award at Rangers
• Nigeria’s top marksmen: Osimhen leads, Dessers chases as Rangers’ title hopes fade

Despite being benched at times, the striker rediscovered form under new manager Barry Ferguson, who restored him to the starting XI during the title run-in.

The Super Eagles striker has previously played for FC Utrecht, Heracles Almelo, Genk, Feyenoord, and Cremonese among several others.

Dessers was the top scorer in the Eredivisie in the 2019–20 season, while playing for Heracles Almelo. The 30-year-old forward was also the top scorer in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League and was named in the competition's Team of the Season, while playing for Feyenoord.