Clement risks ire of Rangers fans by echoing 'embarrassing' claims that riled Ibrox support
11/11/2024 05:35 AM
Rangers manager Philippe Clement reckons Cyriel Dessers gets some unfair stick at times.
The Nigerian international striker, 29, was once again the hero of the hour as he netted his 10th goal of the season and the only goal of the game in a tight 1-0 Rangers win over Hearts.
Speaking after the game, Clement suggested that Dessers receives a higher level of scrutiny than others in the Scottish Premiership who miss more and score less.
But the Rangers manager also risked the ire of Gers supporters by echoing the controversial suggestion from Cyriel Dessers himself that if he did score more, then he wouldn't be at Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers in Rangers number nine claim
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Olympiacos in Greece, where Dessers scored Rangers' only goal in the game, Cyriel risked the ire of Rangers fans.
In fact, the big striker stoked a frustrated reaction amongst Gers fans when he claimed that if he'd taken the majority of chances that fell his way, then he'd be playing at a higher level than Rangers.
It's a suggestion that hasn't gone down well with supporters, who have not had enough returns in terms of silverware from Cyriel or his teammates.
"I was watching the Champions League this week and I see unbelievable strikers miss chances," said Dessers.
"So who am I as Cyriel Dessers to not miss chances?
"Obviously you're always going to miss more than you score. That's the life of a striker.
"You know that. There will always be a perception about that but that's the life.
"If I would score three chances every game then I will probably not be at Rangers either."
Philippe Clement agrees with Rangers striker
Philippe Clement would then face questions on Cyriel Dessers' performance come the full time whistle against Hearts.
In one interview, Rangers manager Clement branded Cyriel an 'enigma' and defended his number nine's record against other strikers in the division.
But the Rangers boss would also echo the suggestion from Dessers that if he'd routinely taken his chances at Ibrox, then he wouldn't be here at all.
We wonder if the comments of Philippe Clement will court half as much controversy?
"At the beginning of the season (the other strikers in the squad) were not here," Clement told a post-match press conference.
"Dani was injured, Hamza was injured and Cyriel made eight goals in seven games or something. So he’s not that kind of guy (to start performing better with more competition).
"He’s just somebody who gives everything for the team, does everything to score goals but to work hard also for the team. But he doesn’t score every game.
"I think a striker who scores every game for Rangers, he will not stay long at Rangers also.
"He’s scored already quite an amount of goals this season. Could he have scored more? Yes. Are we working on that? Also yes.
"If you see one year ago where he was at this moment, I think I came in around one year ago, I think he scored three goals in that period.
"He scored already much more in this period until now, this season and in the period also from last season.
"So he’s taking steps in that way and he scored a lot of important goals. So he needs to continue that way."
