Hurting Gers star offers 'big compliment' to 'unbelievable' quartet who shone at Old Trafford
01/24/2025 05:32 AM
Cyriel Dessers might've been robbed of a glory moment for Rangers in the Europa League defeat to Manchester United.
But the ever-gracious Nigerian international striker still found time to praise his teammates despite the pain of a last-minute loss at Old Trafford.
An injury-ravaged Rangers thought they'd nicked a point against Manchester United when Cyriel Dessers turned Harry Maguire and lashed home a stunning late equaliser.
But just moments later Bruno Fernandes stole Europa League victory for the Red Devils and broke Ibrox hearts in a 2-1 defeat for Philippe Clement's team.
Cyriel Dessers admits Manchester United loss 'hurts'
It's hard not to feel sorry for Cyriel Dessers after Rangers succumbed to late defeat in Manchester.
There's been plenty of transfer chatter surrounding Dessers this January and the big hitman's Ibrox future certainly hangs in the balance.
But the Rangers striker sent a reminder of what he can do with a stunning turn and finish against Premier League opposition.
Dessers would've been the toast of the dressing room and the adoring Rangers support if only the Ibrox side had held out and the striker admitted at full-time the result is a 'tough' one to take.
"Phew, it's a really tough one," Dessers told RangersTV.
"Especially because of the rollercoaster, the change of emotions at the end.
"You have the feeling that you're going to walk away with a point, with a good result at Old Trafford, and at the end you let it slip and that's hurts."
Rangers striker hails 'unbelievable' Ibrox youngsters
Despite the defeat, Cyriel Dessers insists the Rangers team can be proud of the effort and performance they put in against Manchester United.
The Ibrox hitman might've had a glory moment whisked from under his feet, but at full-time Dessers shifted the focus back on to the youngsters who came into the side.
Rangers finished the match with Bailey Rice, Ross McCausland, Findlay Curtis and Leon King all on the park.
Dessers tipped his hat to the youthful quartet for standing up and being counted in the Theatre of Dreams and hailed their 'courage' on and off the ball on the night.
"I think we can be very proud," Dessers said.
"To come here with a team with a few injuries then suffered a few injuries during the game as well.
"And then the young guys who came in, they did an unbelievable shift.
"In work ethic, showed courage and played forward, all these things in maybe their second or third game at the highest level.
"That's a big compliment to them and then you think you get the reward for all the effort and all the hard work.
"It's a very good team obviously but then it hurts with the result at the end."
Rangers must take Man United form to Dundee
Rangers attentions will quickly shift back to league duties and Cyriel Dessers insists the team can take heart ahead of the trip to Dundee United.
Rangers' disastrous away form is back in focus ahead of the trip to Tannadice with the club's galling record of three wins in 11 on the road this season a source of immense frustration.
After Rangers limited Man United to few chances in the match, Dessers urged his teammates to take such defensive solidity into games on the road in Scotland.
"It's a difficult game against a good opponent," said Dessers.
"To see that we give, I think in the first 70 minutes, we don't give a lot of big chances away.
"I think that's a big plus. That's something for us that we need to take with us to the league.
"If we can do this against a team with the quality of Manchester United we should be able to do this in the league as well."
Rangers Europa League adventure has been 'fantastic'
The Rangers striker also had a final word to say on the Ibrox side's Europa League run and Cyriel Dessers reckons the team has been 'fantastic'.
Looking ahead to next week's visit of USG at Ibrox, the big hitman is hoping to secure a good result over the Belgians that will stand the club in good stead heading into the rest of the competition.
"I think our European adventure has been fantastic until now," said Dessers.
"With some great results and hopefully we can cap it off with a good result again and look to the next stage."
