Cyriel Dessers Confident Rangers Will Qualify For UCL Group Stage

Nigerian forward, Cyriel Dessers is confident that Glasgow Rangers have what it takes to proceed to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Nigeria international stated this after Rangers drew 2-2 with PSV at Ibrox Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League play-off round on Tuesday.

Glasgow Rangers scored the opening goal in the 45th minute through the boots of Abdallah Sima but in the 61st minute, Ivorian defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré scored the equaliser for PSV.

In the 76th minute, Rabbi Matondo restored the lead for Rangers but that did not last for too long before PSV’s Luuk de Jong scored the equaliser.

Even though Cyriel Dessers started the game as a striker, he couldn’t score for the Scottish side until he was substituted in the 81st minute.

Ahead of the second leg of the round which will be played in The Netherlands on Wednesday, August 30, Cyriel Dessers told RangersTV that there were encouraging signs from the first leg to build on going into the second leg.

The Nigerian player, who had received criticism from Rangers fans, appreciated the atmosphere at Ibrox and expressed the hope that should they proceed to the UEFA Champions League group stage next week, the club will bring more unforgettable nights to the stadium.

“We have to take the positives from the game, and I am sure we will. There is everything to play for next week, it is the same scenario as last year so let’s hope we can have the same outcome”, the Nigerian striker said.

“There were some mixed feelings, it wasn’t an easy game for us, this is a good team. I think overall we played a decent match; we had our moments. When you score two at home against a good team you feel like you deserve more but that is football and there is everything to play for next week.”

He added, “I have heard a lot about European nights at Ibrox before I came here, I had the game against Servette that was already really impressive but tonight was special. I was speaking with some of the guys from PSV, and some ex-teammates and they said the same They said the atmosphere tonight was unbelievable.

“As a player when you feel this energy in the stadium then you can keep going so I hope we can give our fans more Champions League evenings like this.”