Rangers FC via PA Images A corner flag at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow.
Rangers Cyriel Dessers snub explained by Michael Beale
Rangers manager Michael Beale has explained that tactics were behind his decision not to use Cyriel Dessers from the bench against St Johnstone.
The Belgian-born Nigerian international striker, 28, is a man under pressure following a reported £4.5m move from relegated Serie A side Cremonese.
Boos rang out in Govan as Michael Beale elected to remain with Cyriel Dessers in the crushing 1-0 defeat to Celtic at Ibrox a fortnight ago, instead subbing off Kemar Roofe with the team hunting a goal.
While criticism was largely directed towards Michael Beale’s tactics, the raucous response to the substitution was not exactly a vote of confidence in Cyriel Dessers.
Rangers used Brazilian opponent Danilo alongside Kemar Roofe instead of the striker, who was demoted to the bench for the eventual 2-0 win over St Johnstone.
It appeared to be a justifiable move when the ex-Feyenoord forward opened the goal, but after a clash with Liam Gordon forced Danilo off the field, some might have assumed Michael Beale would’ve gone with Cyriel Dessers.
Instead the Rangers manager looked towards Senegalese Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima and Cyriel Dessers failed to get off the bench in the match.
Michael Beale explains Cyriel Dessers snub
Speaking after the game, Michael Beale explained that Danilo’s inclusion in the starting lineup came after a solid two weeks of training whilst Abdallah Sima’s pace and directness was viewed as a greater weapon against the St Johnstone backline.
“With Danilo, he’s had a couple of bits going on and he’s had this two weeks to get himself fits and goes and scores,” Beale told the press after the game.
“It was a big deal for Danilo to get injured at the time.”
“It’s something he (Danilo) has in the box, he’s that type of striker, with Kemar playing close to him, you’ve always got two in there.”
“In the box, Tom is a good runner off the ball.” We targeted it with St Johnstone, up and around their centre-backs.
“Because of the movement down the lines, we brought on Abdallah Sima.”
“The goal of the game was to play down the side of the centre halves and with two close together, and I believe that’s what ultimately won us the game.”
Michael Beale appears to have attempted to convey that the decision to withdraw Cyriel Dessers from this match was purely tactical.
Cyriel Dessers has appeared in nine games for Rangers, scoring twice – once in the 2-1 Champions League QR3 win over Servette and once from the penalty spot in the 2-1 League Cup win over Greenock Morton.
