CYRIEL Dessers showcased unwavering composure against both external criticism and internal doubts in the recent pivotal match at Hampden, where his stellar performance propelled Rangers into the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final showdown with Celtic.
Exuding calmness, Dessers impressively broke the deadlock early on against Hearts and clinched the victory with another goal as the clock wound down. Reflecting on his standout display following the 2-0 triumph, Dessers candidly admitted that earlier criticisms had once weighed on his confidence.
Acknowledging the initial impact of the scrutiny he faced, the Nigerian striker, who arrived at Rangers from Cremonese last summer, expressed gratitude for overcoming the challenges and reaching a milestone of 20 goals this season for club and country. Drawing from his experiences in Utrecht, Genk, and Feyenoord, Dessers attributed his success to mastering the art of handling pressure as the frontline leader for Rangers, a skill that has helped him silence his detractors.
Confident in his team’s abilities, Dessers expressed unwavering belief in his teammates’ resilience following recent setbacks. Despite trailing Celtic in the league standings, he remained adamant that Rangers, the reigning Viaplay Cup champions, possess the prowess to excel in the upcoming matches and secure further silverware.
Remaining unperturbed by external chatter, Dessers emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and unity within the team to navigate the challenges ahead. Reflecting on the team’s collective mentality, he recognized the significance of blocking out distractions and concentrating on their performance as they strive to regain momentum in the league race.
Drawing motivation from the team’s consistent resilience in bouncing back from adversity, Dessers highlighted their character and determination in delivering a stellar performance against Hearts under intense scrutiny. As they gear up for crucial matches ahead, he emphasized the team’s ability to rise to the occasion and showcase their strength, signaling a promising outlook for Rangers in the remaining fixtures of the season.
Dessers expressed optimism about the upcoming games as he emphasized the importance of the team’s performance in securing the title. Reflecting on their recent matches and a tough schedule ahead, Dessers highlighted the need for the team to maintain their momentum and deliver strong performances. As he looks forward to future games, including a challenging match against St Mirren, Dessers remains focused on scoring more goals, achieving more victories, and ultimately, claiming more trophies for the team. Despite his success in the semi-final with two crucial goals, Dessers remains driven to push even harder and take the team to greater heights in the league.