Connor Barron and Nedim Bajrami respond to emotional Cyriel Desser Rangers exit
Cyriel Dessers finalised his move away from Rangers on deadline day, joining Greek club Panathinaikos.
Dessers spent two seasons at Ibrox, playing 73 games for Rangers and scoring 34 goals and getting six assists during his time at the club.
The striker has joined Panathinaikos in a deal that is worth more than £3.5 million, having joined the club for £4m two seasons ago from Italian side Cremonese.
The Nigerian international had been pushing for a move away from Rangers this summer but Russell Martin praised his professionalism during the transfer window.
Emotional goodbye from Cyriel Dessers
Dessers has always been a candidate to move out of Rangers after Martin joined the club, with Panathinaikos making their move late on deadline day.
Taking to his Instagram, Dessers said: :It was an absolute honour to wear the number nine at Rangers, something that will fill me with pride for the rest of my life.
“I wish everybody at Rangers all the best, take good care of the club, you guys are so important.
I want to thank the fans that supported me. If you can push and support the players, big things will be within reach for this beautiful club,” he signed off, before adding a blue heart.
His Rangers teammates Connor Barron and Nedim Bajrami responded to the statement, with Barron adding two blue hearts of his own in the comments.
Bajrami also replied: “Bomber,” with a shaking hands emoji, pointing to the nickname of the Belgian born forward.
Rangers also posted a club statement saying: “Rangers Football Club can today confirm the departure of Cyriel Dessers to Panathinaikos for an undisclosed fee.
“The striker, who joined Rangers in the summer of 2023, scored 52 goals in his time with the club, making over 100 appearances. He also won a League Cup, was SPFL Premiership top scorer and claimed the Sam English Bowl.
“Everyone at the club thanks Cyriel for his contribution during his time in Glasgow, and we wish him well for the future.”
Russell Martin bought himself time with Old Firm performance
Football Insider verdict
Sunday’s Old Firm derby was one of the worst in recent memory with the game ending in a turgid 0-0 draw at Ibrox.
It was crucial for Martin that Rangers came away with a positive result off the back of their 6-0 drubbing in Champions League qualifying at the hands of Club Brugge.
Rangers have drawn all four of their opening Scottish Premiership games this season but one tweak against Celtic may have bought under-fire Martin more time as Rangers boss.
| Rangers 25/26 | Result |
| vs Motherwell (A) | 1-1 |
| vs Viktoria Plzen (H) | 3-0 |
| vs Dundee (H) | 1-1 |
| vs Viktoria Plzen (A) | 1-2 (4-2) |
| vs Alloa Athletic (H) | 4-2 |
| vs Club Brugge (H) | 1-3 |
| vs St Mirren (A) | 1-1 |
| vs Club Brugge (A) | 0-6 (1-9) |
| vs Celtic (H) | 0-0 |
Martin’s side were uncharacteristically pragmatic in their approach against Celtic, a world away from how we’re used to seeing the 39-year-old set up his teams.
They were direct into the channels and the midfield harried around dropping on second balls all over the pitch.
Martin will have been pleased with his side’s performance, and the blueprint they laid down can help the ex-Southampton boss build on into the season.