Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and his Rangers side were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after falling to a 5-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion, Soccernet reports.

After a 2-2 draw at Ibrox last week, Rangers had an almost impossible task on their hands, as they had to travel to Netherlands for the return leg of their Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven.

Dessers is no stranger to Dutch football, and Michael Beale included him in his starting lineup for the fixture. Unfortunately, it did not go as planned.

PSV were just a notch higher than Rangers for most of the night. Dessers cut a lonely figure in the attack, as he did not get a lot of service. Eventually, the Dutch giants scored in the first half. Dessers was taken off in the 61st minute after failing to register any attempt on goal.

Ismael Saibari scored for PSV in the second half, but Rangers drew one back in the 64th minute. After that, the home side reached another level. Goals from Luuk de De Jong, Joey Veerman, and an own goal from Connor Goldson ensured it ended 5-1 in Netherland. This means that Rangers will play in the Europa League this season.

Meanwhile, in Greece, it was a celebration for Nigerian stars Chidera Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf as Antwerp defeated AEK Athens 2-1 to book  their Champions League spot.

Ejuke was on the bench throughout the game, while Yusuf was introduced in the 83rd minute. Gyrano Kerk opened the scoring for Antwerp in the 73rd minute, but Sergio Araujo drew level for the hosts in the 90th minute. But Michel-Ange Balikwisha scored the winning goal for Antwerp in stoppage time.

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has warned his Rangers teammates of the electric atmosphere at the Philips Stadion ahead of their UEFA Champions League qualifier game against PSV Eindhoven, Soccernet reports.

The Gers had to settle for a 2-2 draw when PSV visited Ibrox Stadium last week. Despite Rangers’ home advantage, the Dutch side were the better team on the night, as they bossed the possession and created more chances.

Both teams meet again in Netherlands this Wednesday for the second leg, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Ahead of the fixture, Nigeria striker Dessers has warned his teammates that they should expect a hostile welcome. The 28-year-old attacker had spells with Feyenoord, Utrecht, Heracles, and Breda. So, he is very conversant with the atmosphere in Netherlands.

“The atmosphere will be on fire [tomorrow] as well like it was at Ibrox. I think Ibrox tops it,” Dessers said, per The Rangers Review.

“I know we can handle this crowd as well. We will be ready, and we will put in a good performance, and hopefully that will be enough for us.”

Rangers are walking on a tightrope. They haven’t exactly inspired much confidence with their performance this season. However, they still have a chance. Dessers will be returning to familiar terrain, and coach Michael Beale would be hoping the Nigerian attacker delivers.

Cyriel Dessers believes there is all to play for in Eindhoven next week after Rangers and PSV settled for a 2-2 draw in their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg tie at Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Gers took the lead on two occasions through Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo but were pegged back by the Dutch side with nothing to separate the teams ahead of next week’s second leg

On the stroke of halftime, Senegalese forward Abdallah Sima gave Rangers the lead after he curled a perfect strike into the top right corner.

With half an hour of the game remaining, PSV equalized through Ibrahim Sangare’s right-footed strike after reacting first to a cross from Johan Bakayoko. Rangers were ahead again with 14 minutes left in the game when Rabbi Matondo finished off a perfect pass swung into the box by Cyriel Dessers.

But PSV restored parity just five minutes later, a corner was swung into the box by Bakayoko which met the head of the captain Luuk De Jong and he headed home to ensure the tie is finely poised ahead of next week’s return leg.

FULL-TIME: Rangers 2-2 PSV

All level at Ibrox in the first-leg of our #UCL play-off. pic.twitter.com/EDRniMJBeb

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 22, 2023

Speaking after the game Dessers believes that not losing the first leg at home has given his side a positive result to take to Philips Stadion next Wednesday.

He said: We have to take the positives from the game, and I’m sure we will. There is everything to play for next week, it’s the same scenario as last year so let’s hope we can have the same outcome, The Nigeria international told RangersTV

There was some mixed feelings, it wasn’t an easy game for us, this is a good team. I think overall we played a decent match; we had our moments. When you score two at home against a good team you feel like you deserve more but that’s football and there is everything to play for next week.

The Super Eagles striker also praised the support from the home team and hopes the players can bring more special feelings to Ibrox Stadium by qualifying for the group stage in the  Netherlands next week.

He added: I have heard a lot about European nights at Ibrox before I came here, I had the game against Servette that was already really impressive but tonight was special. I was speaking with some of the guys from PSV, some ex-teammates, and they said the same they said the atmosphere tonight was unbelievable. 

As a player when you feel this energy in the stadium then you can keep going so I hope we can give our fans more Champions League evenings like this, Dessers concluded 

Dessers and Rangers must first settle a business with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday before finding a way to beat PSV next Wednesday in Eindhoven.

Chelsea have signed exciting Nigeria-eligible forward Noni Madueke from PSV Eindhoven in a transfer believed to be around €40 million.

The Blues have been on a spending spree since Todd Boehly took over as owner of the club. They have spent over €400million on signings.

According to reports from Dutch site ED, Chelsea have captured another star. The Blues have sealed a €40 million transfer for Noni Madueke from PSV Eindhoven.

The exciting 20-year-old winger operates generally from the right side, and he would look to give Morrocan star Hakim Ziyech a run for his money.

Madueke has Nigerian parents, but he was born in London. As such, he can play for England and Nigeria.

However, he currently represents the English youth teams. Nonetheless, he can still switch allegiance to Nigeria because he is yet to get a senior cap for England.

European powerhouses, AC Milan, PSV, Besiktas and Antalyaspor eyes Flying Eagles invitee, Fisayo Dele Bashiru.

The Serie A powerhouses and Eredivisie outfit are two notable teams reportedly battling for the starlet ’ signature, according to sources by Skysports.

The British-Nigeria, who recently hit the headlines, vowed his allegiance to Nigeria despite having the opportunity to play for England.

The 21-year-old, who is in the last days of his contract with Sheffield Wednesday, is now in negotiations with the club for a new deal, but no deal has yet been struck.

According to reports, the teenager who has yet to sign the League 1 club’s offer to stay at Hillsborough Stadium is considering all of his choices in order to decide what is best for him.

Numerous teams have shown interest in Dele-Bashiru, who has scored 4 domestic league goals in 20 appearances for his side.

The star had previously, however, reported that Blackpool had presented the owls a six-figure offer after deciding to take a chance on him after being impressed by his performances from last season. The owls, nevertheless, turned down the offer.

Premier League clubs Tottenham, Southampton, and Newcastle are plotting a move for Manchester City’s Nigeria-eligible prodigy Adedire Mebude.

Mebude started from the Rangers Academy before moving to England to join the Manchester City academy. The 18-year-old right-winger has shown brilliance since he joined the Cityzens.

The London-born starlet has raised eyebrows in England, and is one of the brightest rising stars in English football.

Mebude has made 42 appearances for the Manchester City youth teams, registering 19 goals and twenty assists. He played an important role in the Manchester City under-18 side that won the under-18 Premier League last season.

The youngster was linked with Belgian champions Club Brugge and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. However, such talks have been played down.

Nonetheless, Mebude is not short of suitors, as Nizaar Kinsella reports that Tottenham have joined the race for his signature alongside Southampton and Newcastle United.

It is less than 24 hours till the close of the transfer window, a decision could be made concerning the future of the Manchester City prodigy.

With his age and inexperience, Mebude is not expected to play a major role in any of the English teams that are interested in him if a transfer happens. And that could also be a determining factor.

Mebude plays for the Scottish youth teams, but he is eligible to play for Nigeria because of his parents. He is the younger brother of Watford striker Dapo Mebude.