Rangers boss reacts to Dessers’ exit news as transfer window winds up

Rangers head coach Russell Martin has cleared the air about the future of Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers at the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to AEK Athens, but the Gers rejected the offer submitted by the Greek side.

The Belgium-born forward also confirmed he was in talks with Belgian side Club Brugge over a potential move, but nothing concrete has surfaced so far.

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Dessers is currently nursing an ankle injury and is in the race against time to be fit for Rangers' UCL qualifier against Club Brugge on Wednesday.

Rangers boss speaks on Dessers‘ future

Russell Martin has revealed the striker is working hard to be involved against Brugge, and lauded him for his diligence despite his heart being elsewhere.

“I think it happens in football, but I'll go back to Cyriel again. He's working really hard to get fit, but he's not there yet; he'll probably be fit for Wednesday,” the former Southampton coach said in his pre-match quotes as revealed by the Rangers Review.

“So, whilst he's made it really clear what his intentions are, or what his desire would be, there's been no problem.

“He trains properly, performs with the team, he's been great, but everyone's different. Every human being is different.”

“Whilst (Cyriel) has made us really clear what his desire would be there’s been no problem…No, Cyriel hasn’t asked to leave but we’ve had a lot of discussions about it”

Russell Martin on the future of Dessers and Miovski links pic.twitter.com/EUwbE0IOUq

— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) August 24, 2025

“Cyriel is quite experienced, and some of the guys are really young, so the situation will be cleared up in the next ten days. I'm quite clear about it.

“No, no, Cyriel hasn't asked to leave. He's not asked to leave once, but we've had a lot of discussions about it , and we'll see what happens,” the 39-year-old concluded.

Rangers lost the first leg to Club Brugge in front of their home crowd at Ibrox. They have to overturn a two-goal deficit if they're to stand a chance of qualifying.