Rangers receive timely Cyriel Dessers update amid Jamie Vardy blow
Russell Martin has been handed a positive piece of news on Cyriel Dessers, but his search for another striker continues amid an update in Rangers’ pursuit of Jamie Vardy.
Martin is under pressure at Rangers, and the Glasgow club were not at their best against Alloa in the League Cup last time out.
Rangers only just edged past Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, whilst they have dropped points in both their Scottish Premiership matches so far.
Martin is looking to rebuild the squad and that includes signing a new striker, with free agent Vardy one of the names linked to Rangers.
Vardy ‘desperate’ to join Celtic over Rangers
Dessers was forced off in the second leg against Viktoria Plzen, and missed Rangers’ win over Alloa, but Martin had positive news regarding his injury as the Gers prepare to face Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round.
Martin said Dessers’ injury, via The Daily Record [18 August], was “nowhere near as bad” as first feared and that the 30-year-old could return to the squad for the clash with Club Brugge, or most likely, against St Mirren at the weekend.
However, Vardy has decided he is “desperate” to sign for Celtic and reunite with former boss Brendan Rodgers, meaning a move to Rangers now looks off the table.
| Apperances | 500 |
| Goals | 200 |
| Assists | 71 |
Vardy also has other options in the Premier League and Championship, but he could be lining up for Celtic against Rangers in just a couple of weeks time in the first Glasgow derby of the season on August 31st.
Martin must win transfer battles
Football Insider Verdict
Rangers have not been firing on all cylinders under Martin, and even though Dessers will return from injury quicker than expected, signing Vardy would have given the Gers greater threat in-front of goal.
Dessers has never been a ruthless finisher in the big games when he is needed to step up for Rangers, and with Celtic dominating Scottish football right now, Martin’s requirement to close the gap on his fiercest rivals partly lies with not having a top striker in his ranks.
The first two Premiership games of the season have further highlighted the need for more goals and creativity across the side, with Vardy able to contribute to the former.
Vardy joining Celtic would further improve their attack, which also is not on fine form right now.
Martin needs to ensure that he wins the race for these top signings or Celtic are only going to pull away even further.