£27k-a-week Rangers star made Barry Ferguson jump off his sofa in delight during Hibs clash

£27k-a-week Rangers star made Barry Ferguson jump off his sofa in delight during Hibs clash

Barry Ferguson confesses he admires Cyriel Dessers’ resolve to succeed at

Rangers despite facing criticism since signing in the summer.

And the Gers striker even pushed Ferguson off his sofa in delight after

hitting a wonderful goal against Hibs on Wednesday evening.

This season, Dessers has received well-documented criticism for his lack of talent and failure to capitalize on major opportunities when they present themselves.

The £4.5 million Nigerian, signed from Cremonese in the summer,

has progressed dramatically under boss Philippe Clement, and his goal record at Rangers is also impressive.

Dessers has six goals and three assists in his previous 11 league appearances,

indicating that he is making progress at Ibrox.

And this is despite the fact that Fabio Silva’s loan arrival has increased rivalry for the No. 9 striker berth.

And you know Dessers’ fortunes have altered when

Rangers fans sing a song for the 29-year-old at the away end of Easter Road in midweek.

Ferguson is enjoying Dessers’ redemption story and has always wanted him to succeed in a Light Blue jersey.

And in his most recent Daily Record essay, the 45-year-old commended Dessers’ dedication to the cause,

which he believes will help him succeed at Rangers.

Barry Ferguson discusses Cyriel Dessers.

Barry Ferguson wrote: “After months of wondering if the huge man would ever make it as a centre striker at Ibrox,

they’re (the fans) now calling him CD9.

“Okay, there’s some sarcasm involved.

I do not believe anyone is honestly comparing Dessers to Cristiano Ronaldo, the original CR7.

“But I’m on board regardless because I believe it demonstrates that there is a lot of love and goodwill out

there for a guy who appears to be desperate to prove himself as a Rangers striker.

“I’d even go so far as to say I have enormous respect for the guy because I’ve sat inside that dressing room and seen plenty of others fall under the weight of expectation that has been on his shoulders since he arrived at the club in the summer.

“I’m not trying to sugarcoat anything about his performances.

I believe he is aware that he has gotten off to a slow start in that No. 9 shirt.

He’s had a few games that he’d prefer forget.

“But what I enjoy about him is that I’ve never seen him retreat into his shell or attempt to hide.

When he missed a chance to score,  he just rolls the sleeves up and gets on with it.

“That was the case again at Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup last Saturday,

when he should have had three goals in the first half.

“But he did not let his head drop or begin to feel sorry for himself.

He continued going back for more until he found the back of the goal,

which shows me that the guy has the passion and heart to play a significant role in what Philippe Clement is putting together.

“I’ve listened to one or two of his interviews in recent weeks,

and it’s evident to me that he understands what it takes to put on that shirt. And believe me, that is half the battle.

“After some of the criticism he’s received in the first few months of the season,

it might have been easier for him to skulk away and consider playing football someplace else to give himself a bit of a break.

“When Clement arrived, he could have sought the new manager for a private conversation and asked to be allowed to depart on loan.

But, while it proved to be the best answer for Sam Lammers,

who had a similarly rough start to his

Rangers career, Dessers does not appear to be a man willing to leave up this club so quickly.

“To his credit, he has dug in and held his ground. And I’m thinking he was frustrated on Wednesday night when

he discovered he wouldn’t be starting against Hibs, despite scoring at the weekend.

“Yes, he’ll be watching Lammers leave the club to return to Holland on loan,

and he’ll have seen Fabio Silva arrive from Wolves with an eye on his role leading the line.

“But when he got the chance to come off the bench,

he grabbed it with both hands and scored a goal that we’d all be talking about

if anyone else in the country had done anything as fantastic as that.

“Honestly, I leaped up off my sofa when he tucked it away because, like so many other Rangers fans,

I’m sincerely hoping to see him turn things around. I also feel there is a player in there.

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