Russell Martin has made Cyriel Dessers decision – ‘he’s the best forward at Rangers’
Cyriel Dessers is stuck in limbo at Rangers with a deal to ship the forward off to Greece hitting a snag in recent days.
According to Greek outlet Sportime (19 June), AEK Athens are only willing to pay £3.8million for Dessers – while Rangers want up to £5million for the 30-year-old.
It is claimed the striker has already agreed personal terms, securing a big pay rise on his current deal at Ibrox – which expires in 2027.
Dessers hit 29 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions for Rangers in the 2024-25 campaign.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on the Nigeria international’s future after Russell Martin‘s arrival as head coach.
‘Dessers is not suited to Martin-ball at Rangers’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed Dessers does not fit into Martin’s ideas at Rangers despite being the “best forward” at Ibrox.
The Belgian-born star joined the Gers from Cremonese in 2023 and has hit 51 goals across two years in Scotland.
Wyness insisted Dessers is not suited to Martin’s style of play as the ex-Southampton boss looks to craft the Rangers squad in his image.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Dessers is definitely marmite as far as the Rangers fans were concerned. You love him or hate him.
“He did score some great goals and he was by far the best forward, I think, for Rangers overall, even though he had some games when he disappeared and was invisible.
“He did contribute, but he missed some really easy goals. Dessers is one of those infuriating players who then did impossible goals after that. So I think they’ll miss him.
“But we’ll have to see what the thinking and the style of play is going to be. Maybe it doesn’t quite suit the new style of play that Rangers are going to be going for under Russell Martin.
“I think Dessers is one I would let go. Now, the number they’re talking about is only about £5million.
“That could be significant in terms of money coming back in depending on where they’re shopping. But they’re not making any money on him.
“Nevertheless, I think it may be good for the squad to let him go. I don’t think he would buy into the whole feeling that I think is going to be coming to Rangers.
“Martin will want his side to be a lot tougher, a lot harder, a lot more consistent, a lot more physical. I don’t think he’s that type of player and I think it’d probably be best if they did part.”
Martin wants to keep two key Rangers stars
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (17 June) that Rangers boss Martin is keen to build his side around in-demand duo Hamza Igamane and Nicolas Raskin.
Sources say Rangers are still susceptible to big offers for the duo despite their recent US-backed takeover but do not need to sell for below-market prices.
Igamane hit 16 goals and notched three assists in 46 appearances across all competitions for Rangers in the 2024-25 campaign, while Raskin hit five goals and notched 11 assists last term.
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