“Such a gentleman” – Former Rangers striker lauds Cyriel Dessers amidst exit links

Former Rangers and Scotland striker, Billy William Dodds, has heaped praise on Super Eagles forward, Cyriel Dessers, amidst talks about his move away from Ibrox, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 30-year-old has been linked with an exit away from Hampden Park, with Greek Champions, AEK Athens, reportedly shaking hands on personal terms with the Belgium-born Nigerian striker, although talks have gone quiet in recent weeks.

Additionally, Dessers‘ former club, Feyenoord, have rekindled their interest in him ahead of the 2025/2026 season, posing the option of an emotional reunion.

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Rangers are undergoing several changes this summer. Besides Dessers, Moroccan forward, Hamza Igamane has drawn interest from French side, LOSC Lille.

Dodds scored over 20 goals in four years at Ibrox, and urged the Gers against selling the Nigerian striker except they're confident they can replace the ‘big man' with a better goalscorer.

“The big man is a gentleman, he wants to learn. He's brilliant. I told him that every time he takes more than two touches with his chances, he misses them.

“It wasn't just me, we all demanded more for him. He was so relaxed about it and just wanted to learn.

“If he leaves then Rangers will need those 28 goals or so to be replaced. I think he will leave,” the former Dundee United manager told the Scottish Sun.

Ex-Rangers striker weighs in on Dessers‘ rumoured exit

Rangers legend, Kris Boyd, has bashed Dessers in the past for his profligacy in front of goal, but admitted if he had to pick who remains in Scotland between Dessers and Igamane, he'd always opt for Nigeria's Unity Cup hero.

“Given the choice, it’s the Moroccan frontman the Ibrox club should be looking to offload this summer,” the 41-year-old wrote in his column for the Scottish Sun.

“Dessers has his flaws, but his numbers have been good for back-to-back seasons now and I just don’t believe Igamane is capable of being a 30-goal striker for the Ibrox club.

“Lille or any club are willing to pay upwards of £10million for a boy who cost £1m a year ago, Rangers should be snapping their hand off.

“Igamane could score a dozen goals for them in the French league and they’ll be satisfied, but that strike-rate won’t cut it at Ibrox.”

“No, he can produce some moments of magic with nutmegs, flicks and tricks.

“When it comes down to it, though, I can’t imagine there would be too many of his team-mates devastated to see him go.

“Playing that role in the team demands a discipline and reliability that he just doesn’t have at this stage of his career.

“Dessers often frustrates the life out of Rangers fans but I wouldn’t be chasing him out the door.

“I’m sure the club will be looking to bring in a new hitman and it could be that he’s not willing to hang around if he’s not the main man,” Boyd concluded.

In the meantime, Rangers' new boss, Russell Martin, is looking forward to working with the Nigerian International, shunning talks of any exit.

“No, I don't think I can say anything about his [Dessers] future. The updates will come as and when they are actually real.

“So, at the minute, I'm expecting him to return on Monday and I'm looking forward to working with him,” the ex-Southampton boss said in an interview with Sky Sports Scotland.