'We need more' - Rangers Manager's clear message to Dessers following Champions League masterclass
Rangers boss Russell Martin has challenged Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and his teammates to show even greater attacking intent after their emphatic 3-0 Champions League qualifier win over Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox.
Dessers delivered a standout all-around performance, grabbing a goal and an assist to help Rangers take a big step toward the Champions League group stage.
The Nigerian striker set up the opener, teeing up Djeidi Gassama with a deft pass, before calmly converting a penalty won by Oliver Antman moments before halftime.
His tireless link-up play and ability to draw defenders created space for teammates, displaying his importance to the team’s European campaign.
After the final whistle, manager Russell Martin praised Dessers’ role in orchestrating attacks but issued a direct call for more “real positive intent in the final third” from his front line.
“The intensity for Djeidi to run to goal, for Oliver to run in-behind, for Cyriel to attract the defender, we need more of that real positive intent in the final third. We saw a lot of that tonight, so I’m really pleased,” Martin told the club website.
He lauded Dessers for not only delivering a goal and assist but for creating opportunities for others through clever movement and fierce pressing.
Martin, who had rotated his lineup after a disappointing league opener, said Dessers had responded perfectly since returning from injury, proving why he's so crucial to Rangers’ ambitions in Europe.
In summary, while Martin applauded the improved attacking display led by Dessers, his message to his star striker and the whole squad was clear: keep raising the intensity and commitment in the final third to maintain their Champions League momentum.