Cyriel Dessers continues to be one of the most talked-about players at Rangers, and for good reason. His performances often leave fans torn between admiration and frustration, as he has the ability to both miss glaring opportunities and score crucial goals in the same game. His latest outing against Dundee was a perfect example of this contradiction—he took an astonishing 12 shots, missing several chances, yet ultimately secured a vital 4-3 victory with a late winner. It was a match that summed up his time at Rangers: persistence, wastefulness, and ultimately, a moment of redemption.

His winning goal came in the dying minutes of the game when he latched onto James Tavernier’s through ball and finished past Trevor Carson, sealing a remarkable comeback for Rangers. While the headlines focused on his late heroics, it’s impossible to ignore how the game might have unfolded differently had he been more clinical earlier on. Despite his inefficiencies, one thing is certain—Dessers never hides, never stops working, and always finds a way to keep himself in the thick of the action.

Barry Ferguson, Rangers’ interim manager, was quick to defend the striker in his post-match comments. Ferguson, a club legend and former captain, has had the chance to work with Dessers firsthand since stepping into the managerial role, and he is full of praise for the Nigerian international. According to Ferguson, Dessers’ attitude is one of his biggest strengths—he is a tireless worker, an eager learner, and someone who does not allow criticism to affect his performances.

“You have to give the goalkeeper credit, he made some really good saves,” Ferguson told reporters after the match. “But one thing about the big man, he has been a joy to work with, and he is a brilliant worker, a brilliant listener. He wants to improve even at his age.”

These words reflect an important aspect of Dessers’ character—his resilience. While many players might allow criticism or poor form to drag them down, Dessers simply keeps going. Ferguson acknowledged that while the striker can get frustrated when things don’t go his way, he never lets it affect his confidence to the point of giving up.

“He puts himself in brilliant positions,” Ferguson continued. “He can get frustrated and start feeling sorry for himself, but he keeps going. He got his reward with the winner.”

This ability to bounce back from missed chances is crucial for any striker, and it explains why Dessers has been able to rack up 23 goals this season despite his profligacy. But for every crucial goal he scores, there are moments that make Rangers fans wonder whether the club should be looking for a more clinical finisher.

Is Cyriel Dessers’ Time at Rangers Running Out?

Despite Ferguson’s strong backing, Dessers’ long-term future at Ibrox remains uncertain. The January transfer window saw reports linking him with a potential exit, with clubs from Europe and the Middle East reportedly interested in acquiring his services. However, the striker was adamant that he had “unfinished business” at Rangers and wasn’t looking for a move away.

Now, with the summer transfer window approaching, fresh speculation is emerging about Rangers’ plans for their attacking options. The club has been linked with Dor Turgeman, a highly-rated 21-year-old striker from Maccabi Tel Aviv. Turgeman is said to have a playing style similar to Dessers’, which has fueled speculation that Rangers could be preparing for life without their current number nine.

The potential arrival of a younger, promising forward raises key questions: Is Turgeman being lined up as a replacement, or is he simply competition to push Dessers to be more clinical? Given that Rangers will need to strengthen their squad for a potential title push next season, having multiple goal-scoring options will be crucial.

Adding to the uncertainty is criticism from Rangers legend Kris Boyd, who recently pointed out that too much of the goal-scoring burden has been placed on Dessers. While the striker is Rangers’ top scorer this season, Boyd argues that others in the squad should be stepping up to ease the pressure.

This further complicates the debate around Dessers’ future. On one hand, he has delivered goals when Rangers have needed them most. On the other, his inconsistent finishing has led to dropped points and frustrating performances. If Rangers are serious about challenging Celtic for the title and making an impact in Europe, they need a forward who can convert chances at a higher rate.

The Verdict: Keep or Move On?

Dessers’ case is not a straightforward one. He has clearly earned the trust of Ferguson, who values his mentality and work rate. His numbers suggest he is an effective goal scorer, but the eye test often tells a different story—one of missed opportunities and inconsistency.

Much will depend on Rangers’ ambitions heading into next season. If they believe they need a more clinical and reliable finisher, they may look to cash in on Dessers while they still can, especially if a good offer comes in. If they instead opt to keep him, they must either bring in competition like Turgeman or significantly improve their overall attacking play to ensure that goals are not solely reliant on one player.

For now, Dessers remains a key figure at Ibrox. His resilience, work rate, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him an asset, but whether he is the right man to lead Rangers’ attack long-term is still up for debate. His performance against Dundee was a microcosm of his career in Glasgow—frustrating, relentless, and ultimately decisive. But with the summer transfer window looming, it remains to be seen whether Rangers will continue to put their faith in him or look for a more reliable alternative.