Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers has been nominated for Rangers’ Player of the Month for April.
The 29-year-old ended the month strongly with three goals and an assist for the Gers.
Having returned from the international break in late March, where he scored in Nigeria’s 2-1 win against West African rivals Ghana, Dessers carried his excellent form into the Scottish Premier League.
The 27-year-old kicked off April in impressive fashion when he provided an assist in Rangers’ hard-fought 3-3 draw with rivals Celtic – a result which ensured Philippe Clement’s side remained in the title race.
He was, however, unable to repeat his heroics in the club’s next two matches, drawing blanks against Ross County and Dundee United, as Rangers suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the former while settling for a draw against the latter.
The final two weeks of the month, however, saw Dessers return to form to help Rangers fight on two fronts. The former Cremonese forward netted a sensational double on April 21 when the Gers beat Hearts 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup to book their place in the final.
A week later, on April 28, Dessers was once again on the score sheet, this time scoring a late winner as Rangers recorded an important 2-1 victory over St. Mirren in the league to keep their title hopes alive.
For his impressive displays in the month, Dessers has been shortlisted for Rangers’ Player of the Month award, alongside four of his teammates. The Nigerian is in contention against goalkeeper Jack Butland, midfielder Mohamed Diomande, Rangers captain James Tavernier and midfielder Todd Cantwell.
Jack Butland – The goalkeeper scooped the Men’s Player of the Year and Rangers Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s annual awards ceremony on Sunday evening.
Backed up further by a PFA Scotland Men’s Player of the Year nomination, the 31-year-old produced another stellar month of heroics between the posts, neatly underlined by a terrific stop to deny James Bolton of St. Mirren from close range last weekend.
Cyriel Dessers – The Nigerian ended the month of April with three goals in his last two games, nodding home the winner in Paisley on Sunday afternoon.
Indeed, the highlight of the forward’s month arrived at the national stadium when his brace powered Philippe Clement’s side to a 2-0 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Mohamed Diomande – The 22-year-old was absent for the clashes against Ross County and Dundee in April, with his return to the side being keenly felt in recent victories over Hearts and St. Mirren.
The midfielder continues to grow from strength to strength in the engine room for the Light Blues, with his blend of strength and guile bewitching opposing midfielders.
James Tavernier – It’s been another productive month for the Gers captain as he popped up with several important goal contributions.
Indeed, it was his spot-kick which led Rangers’ fightback in the 3-3 Old Firm draw, while the 32-year-old also grabbed a goal against Ross County and an assist in the away win over St. Mirren.
Todd Cantwell – The midfielder produced an impressive display at Hampden to lift the Light Blues into the Scottish Cup final.
Teeing up Cyriel Dessers’ opener at the national stadium, the 26-year-old was a consistent performer across the month of April.
Meanwhile, Dessers is currently enjoying one of his most prolific campaigns as a striker, having contributed 20 goals and eight assists in all competitions this term. His goals have helped Rangers keep in touch with Celtic in the title race and also qualify for the final of the Scottish Cup, where yet another Old Firm derby awaits on May 25.
Despite his impressive numbers, Dessers missed out on Rangers’ end-of-season awards which were held last Sunday. The Nigeria international was beaten to the men’s top goalscorer award by Tavenier, who has 24 goals this season.
Rabbi Matondo’s strike against Celtic was also voted as the goal of the season.
Dessers, however, looks set to continue as the club’s first-choice striker beyond the current season after delivering the goods in his debut campaign in the Scottish topflight. The Nigerian could also end the season with two trophies, with Rangers currently just three points behind Celtic and also in the final of the Scottish Cup.
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