Dessers Fires Rangers to Comeback Victory Over Kilmarnock

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers played a crucial role in Rangers’ thrilling 4-2 comeback victory over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, scoring a second-half brace to help his team overturn a two-goal deficit at Rugby Park.

Rangers found themselves trailing early, as Joe Wright and Brad Lyons put Kilmarnock 2-0 up within the first 14 minutes. However, Vaclav Cerny pulled one back for the visitors just before halftime, offering a lifeline.

At halftime, interim manager Barry Ferguson encouraged the team, reminding them that they were still in the game. Speaking after the match, Dessers revealed the manager’s instructions: At halftime, the gaffer told us that we were still in the game through Vaclav’s goal. We fought back in the last 15 minutes of the first half, and then we had to continue that, which we did. It was a very nice second half.

The second half saw Dessers take charge, scoring twice to put Rangers ahead before substitute Nedim Bajrami sealed the victory with an 85th-minute goal.

With this performance, Dessers has now taken his season tally to 20 goals across all competitions. He has been in outstanding form since the start of 2025, scoring in matches against Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Manchester United, and now Kilmarnock.

Up next, Rangers will take on Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday as they continue their league campaign.

Editorial

Cyriel Dessers’ match-winning performance against Kilmarnock is a testament to his growing confidence and importance to Rangers. After a slow start to his career in Scotland, the Nigerian forward has found his rhythm, consistently delivering crucial goals when his team needs them most.

The impact of Barry Ferguson’s halftime talk cannot be overstated. It takes strong leadership to lift a team’s spirits after falling behind early, and the manager’s belief resonated with the players. Dessers, in particular, responded emphatically, showing why he has become a key figure in Rangers’ attack.

Beyond just his goal-scoring ability, Dessers’ movement, positioning, and ability to step up in big moments make him a valuable asset for the team. His recent goal streak suggests he has adapted well to Scottish football, and if he maintains this form, he could play a crucial role in Rangers’ pursuit of silverware.

With 20 goals in all competitions, Dessers is proving himself as a reliable goal-scorer. For both Rangers and the Super Eagles, his form is encouraging, especially with international commitments on the horizon. If he continues at this level, he could attract interest from bigger European clubs shortly.

As Rangers prepare for their upcoming match against Motherwell, the challenge will be maintaining consistency. With Dessers leading the line, they have every reason to be optimistic about their chances of finishing the season strongly.

Did You Know?

1. Cyriel Dessers joined Rangers from Cremonese in 2023 and has steadily improved his goal-scoring record in Scotland.
2. His brace against Kilmarnock took his total tally for the season to 20 goals across all competitions.
3. Rangers’ victory came after the sacking of former manager Philippe Clement, who was dismissed following a disappointing loss to St. Mirren.
4. Barry Ferguson, Rangers’ interim manager, is a club legend, having captained the team during his playing days.
5. Rangers are the most successful club in Scottish football history, with over 50 league titles to their name.