Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers was in scintillating form as Rangers delivered a commanding 3–0 win over Viktoria Plzen, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round at Ibrox Stadium.
Dessers opened the scoring sheet not from the spot this time, but with a precise assist in the 14th minute, setting up winger Djeidi Gassama for his third goal in as many European outings. Just before half-time, Dessers doubled Rangers’ lead from the penalty spot, expertly converting the spot-kick after debutant Oliver Antman drew the foul.
Gassama restored the two-goal gap within six minutes of the restart, nodding home a superb cross from Antman to seal a dominant display. Dessers capped his first start of the season with a man of the match level impact providing both goal and assist amid swirling transfer speculation about his future.
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Editorial
We believe Dessers’s performance epitomises what Rangers and Nigeria demand of him influence, efficiency, and leadership under pressure. Returning to the starting XI with certainty, he answered loudly assist, goal, solid cameo in a high-stakes match.
Russell Martin’s bold rotation omitting veterans like Tavernier and Raskin paid dividends. But this was a collective surge, not just a tactical risk: Dessers linked well with frontline youth, most notably Antman and Gassama. The cohesion between them suggests a squad not just rebuilding, but synchronising.
For Dessers personally, this display carries meaning. Amid speculation and scouting interest, he reminded everyone of his value clinical precision from the spot and the vision to create goals. In Europe’s elite competition, such impact matters.
CHAN or no CHAN, Rangers should leverage this performance not only as result, but as reassurance of character and contribution. If Dessers sustains this drive, he doesn’t just aid European progression he repositions himself at the heart of the team’s ambitions.
Did You Know?
- Cyriel Dessers provided the assist for Rangers’ opening goal in just the 14th minute, demonstrating early influence in the match.
- He doubled the lead just before half-time by scoring from the penalty spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
- This was his first start of the season, yet he still delivered a goal and an assist showing readiness and composure.
- Oliver Antman, who won the penalty for Dessers’ goal, joined the club just a day before and made his debut in this game.
- Djeidi Gassama scored his fourth goal in three Champions League qualifying matches this season, underscoring his potent form in European competition.
