Cyriel Dessers (28) wants to show at Rangers next season that he is still good at shooting. From his internship in Germany, the Belgian Nigerian first explained his transfer to Scotland. “I have already received many comments about my orange shoes.”
Cyriel Dessers has always dreamed of playing outside Belgium or the Netherlands. After his transfer from Cremonese to Rangers, the Limburger is now in two countries in as many seasons. Judging by the questions in the Zoom call, Dessers, as a Nigerian international who nevertheless speaks English very well, will have to learn a new language again. Not easy, that Scottish. “I have to say that I already understand a surprising amount of it”, laughs Dessers. “But once they talk to each other, it gets difficult for me.”
Dessers only really became known in Europe thanks to his passage at Feyenoord. — © BELGAIMAGE
The interest of the Scottish press is great. Many questions about his memorable celebrations at Feyenoord, predecessors from the Netherlands and… alleged interest from Rangers’ arch-rival Celtic. Dessers dribbles smoothly around it. “When you score, you always end up somewhere on the radar. But Celtic? I didn’t know about it. I’ve been with Rangers for a long time close. I am glad that after all these years we managed to reach a deal. I want to be successful here, just as Giovanni van Bronckhorst was here. During my first days I wore orange football boots… I have already received many comments about that.” (smiles)
Interest from Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium
Dessers has enjoyed interest from teams from Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium in recent weeks, he admits. “But it wouldn’t be smart to tell here which teams it was about. (grins) I am especially very happy with my choice for Rangers. Everything about this club is big. The stadium, the city, the pressure. A new wind has been blowing here for a few months now and I really want to be part of it. In recent years I have been able to check off many things on my bucket list. Well, I’ve already grabbed a cup, but I’d like one too league title win, as they say so beautifully here. I hope to achieve that here this season.”
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Unlike the past two summers, which were a bit more hectic, Dessers’ transfer was now completed early in the mercato. “Of course you can’t always control that yourself. That also depends on the buying club. Michael Beale, the trainer, really wanted me. Rangers were there early. Very early even by Italian standards. In Italy they usually take action later. But I am happy that the clubs have already worked it out and that I can participate in the preparation.”
The passage of Dessers at the Italian Cremonese was not a success. — © Fotolive
At the age of 28, Dessers is already at his ninth club. “I know,” he grins. “To be clear, it was not my intention to change clubs every summer. But some circumstances are beyond your control. One time I wanted to play more, the other time I made a transfer because I had had a good season. And now I was demoted with Cremonese. That also played a role in my choice for Rangers. I didn’t feel like playing in the right row again in Italy. At Rangers I find stability. I want to leave my suitcases for a few years and build something here.”
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