Cyriel Dessers’ situation at Rangers has been one of the most intriguing storylines at Ibrox this season. When Philippe Clement took over, it was clear that a major squad overhaul was on the horizon. Many of the players he inherited were on significant wages without delivering consistent performances, and the Belgian manager was given the authority to reshape the team in his own image. Dessers, despite being one of the top earners, appeared to be one of the prime candidates for departure, yet he remains at the club and is currently proving why that might not be a bad thing for Rangers.

A Summer Exit That Never Happened

When Clement arrived, one of the key priorities for Rangers was to offload players who were not providing sufficient value for their wages. Dessers, who joined under Michael Beale’s tenure for around £4.5 million, struggled to win over the Ibrox crowd in his first few months, and his future quickly became uncertain.

Despite interest from 10 different clubs across multiple transfer windows, Dessers stayed put. In the summer, Atlanta United had agreed on a deal worth around £4.6 million to take the 30-year-old striker to Major League Soccer. However, Dessers personally rejected the move, deciding he wanted to remain in Glasgow and fight for his place.

Even during the January window, there was fresh speculation about his future, with several teams showing interest. However, Rangers only received short-term loan proposals, which were not deemed beneficial enough for the club. Rather than forcing an exit, the Light Blues stood firm, and Dessers continued to work under Clement.

Improved Form and Contribution

At the start of the season, Dessers was widely criticized for his performances. While he occasionally found the net, his overall contribution to the team was questioned. Many fans and pundits believed he lacked the technical ability to lead the line effectively, especially in high-pressure matches.

However, in recent weeks, his form has taken a significant upturn. Dessers has now scored 18 goals and provided six assists in all competitions, which is a strong return for any striker. More importantly, his link-up play and overall influence on the pitch have noticeably improved, silencing many of his earlier critics.

One of the key tactical changes that has benefited Dessers is his partnership with Hamza Igamane. The Moroccan forward has been deployed in a slightly deeper role at times, allowing Dessers more freedom in the attacking third. This partnership has added balance to Rangers’ forward line, and the results have been positive.

Contract and Value for Money Debate

The biggest issue surrounding Dessers was not just his performances but his high wage in comparison to his role in the squad. With Danilo and Igamane also available, he often found himself on the bench when the squad was fully fit, leading many to question whether Rangers were getting value for money from him.

However, if he continues scoring goals and contributing effectively, the financial concerns regarding his contract become less significant. Rangers, like any club, will always look at the long-term picture when it comes to high-earning players, but as long as Dessers is delivering results on the pitch, he is justifying his place in the squad.

What’s Next for Dessers and Rangers?

With the squad revamp still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether Dessers is part of Clement’s long-term plans. If Rangers receive another sizable offer in the summer, especially from a club willing to pay a fee close to what they originally spent on him, the board might still consider moving him on.

However, for now, Dessers is making himself difficult to drop. His recent performances have shown that he has the quality to make a difference for Rangers, and he remains a key player as they continue to fight on multiple fronts. If he maintains this form for the rest of the season, it would be hard to justify selling him—especially if he plays a role in securing silverware.

Ultimately, while Clement is reshaping Rangers in his own vision, Dessers is proving that he still has something to offer. Whether his future lies at Ibrox beyond this season is still uncertain, but one thing is clear—his fight to stay and contribute has paid off for now.