Rangers at a Crossroads: Should They Sell Cyriel Dessers This Summer?
Rangers Football Club finds itself at a critical juncture regarding the future of Cyriel Dessers. The Nigerian striker, who arrived at Ibrox last summer in a £4.5 million move, has divided opinion among fans and pundits alike. While his early-season performances were widely criticized, he has since enjoyed a remarkable upturn in form, culminating in what many are calling his best-ever display in a Rangers shirt during the club’s 2-0 Europa League victory over Fenerbahce.
His resurgence has raised a significant question for Rangers: should they cash in while his stock is high, or should they keep faith in him and hope he continues to deliver at a high level? Given the club’s history of failing to sell players at the right time, many believe the upcoming summer transfer window presents the perfect opportunity to maximize Dessers’ value.
Learning From the Past: Rangers’ Costly Mistakes
The issue of selling players at the right moment has long plagued Rangers. Club CEO Patrick Stewart recently acknowledged that the club has been guilty of holding onto assets for too long, ultimately allowing key players to leave on free transfers when they could have generated significant revenue.
The most glaring examples of this mismanagement include Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander, Glen Kamara, and Borna Barisic. At various points in their Rangers careers, all five players were linked with lucrative moves, including to English Premier League clubs. Had Rangers cashed in at the right time, they could have potentially secured transfer fees totaling around £70 million. Instead, these players departed without generating a single penny for the club.
Stewart has made it clear that Rangers cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. As part of a revamped player trading strategy, the club must recognize when to sell players at their peak value rather than holding out too long and watching their worth decline.
The Case for Selling Cyriel Dessers
Despite being a key player in Rangers’ recent run of form, several high-profile figures in Scottish football believe the club should part ways with Dessers in the summer.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has been particularly vocal about the need to sell. While acknowledging Dessers’ standout performance against Fenerbahce, Halliday highlighted that the striker is already 30 years old, meaning his market value is likely at its highest point right now. With age working against him, waiting another year or two could see his value plummet, leaving Rangers in a familiar position—unable to recoup their investment.
Ross McCormack, another former Scotland international, has echoed Halliday’s sentiments. McCormack was one of Dessers’ biggest defenders earlier in the season when the Nigerian was facing heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike. However, even he now admits that the time is right to sell.
“If he keeps going this season as he has been the last few weeks, I think it will be the peak of what Rangers can get,” McCormack explained. “They should have learned their lessons from keeping Kent too long, keeping Morelos too long. Now is the time to sell him.”
This logic is hard to argue against. Dessers has either scored or assisted nine goals in his last 11 games since the beginning of 2025, marking a dramatic turnaround in form. But as McCormack pointed out, the chances of him maintaining this level of performance into his mid-30s are slim.
Moreover, interest in Dessers already exists. During the January transfer window, the striker was linked with clubs such as Cagliari, Leganes, Empoli, and St Etienne. While no move materialized at the time, his recent form may encourage these teams—or others—to come forward with firm offers in the summer.
What Barry Ferguson Thinks
Interim manager Barry Ferguson has been full of praise for Dessers’ attitude and work rate. After the striker netted twice in a 4-2 win over Kilmarnock, Ferguson emphasized his appreciation for the player’s efforts:
“I like him,” Ferguson said. “I’ve always said it, he’s got a brilliant work ethic. Sometimes, he frustrates you. He lost the ball a couple of times in the first half. But, listen, what he brings you is he brings you a brilliant work ethic. I thought he led the line exceptionally well. There is a real player in there.”
This assessment captures the dual nature of Dessers’ game. While he can be wasteful in possession and inconsistent in front of goal, his physical presence and tireless energy make him a valuable asset—at least for now.
However, Ferguson’s role as interim manager means he is unlikely to have the final say on Dessers’ future. Rangers will almost certainly appoint a permanent manager in the summer, and that individual will have a major influence on whether the club retains or sells Dessers.
The Financial Perspective
From a financial standpoint, selling Dessers in the summer could be the most logical move. Rangers are unlikely to profit massively from the sale, but even if they recoup their initial £4.5 million investment—or slightly more—it would free up funds for reinforcements.
This is particularly important given Rangers’ ongoing squad rebuild. The club will likely need to invest in several key areas over the summer, including central defense, midfield, and potentially even a younger, long-term striking option.
Additionally, Rangers’ financial model is increasingly reliant on player trading. The club is not in a position to sustain itself purely through European competition and domestic success. Selling players at the right time and reinvesting wisely is crucial for their long-term sustainability.
The Counterargument: Why Keep Dessers?
While the case for selling Dessers is strong, there are some arguments in favor of keeping him.
- Current Form: Dessers is one of the most in-form players at the club right now. If Rangers want to challenge Celtic for the league title and make an impact in Europe next season, retaining a proven goal-scorer could be beneficial.
- Lack of Striking Depth: If Dessers is sold, Rangers will need to find a replacement. Hamza Igamane has struggled in recent weeks, and other striking options at the club have been inconsistent. Unless Rangers can secure a guaranteed upgrade, selling Dessers could create more problems than solutions.
- Potential for Further Improvement: Under the right managerial guidance, Dessers could continue to refine his game. If he builds on his recent performances, he could become an even more effective striker in Rangers’ system.
The Verdict: Rangers Must Be Ruthless
Ultimately, Rangers must make a calculated decision rather than an emotional one. While Dessers has been instrumental in recent weeks, history suggests that Rangers cannot afford to hold onto players for too long.
If a strong offer arrives in the summer, the club would be wise to accept and reinvest the funds into a younger, more long-term striking option. The risk of waiting too long—only to see Dessers decline and leave for free—is a mistake Rangers simply cannot afford to repeat.
The next few months will be telling, but one thing is clear: Rangers must learn from the past, or they risk repeating it once again.