Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has explained the reason behind his excellent start to the season.
The Super Eagles forward struggled largely last season and came under huge criticism for his performances which led to calls that Rangers should sign a replacement.
The Light Blues did attempt to get a replacement, as they were linked to last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer Lawrence Shankland and a host of others but eventually signed Hamza Igamane.
Dessers wasn’t affected by the criticism and has been able to earn the trust of Phillipe Clement, starting all but two games across all competitions this term, and he has also been aided by Igamane’s slow start to life.
With seven goals in 12 appearances, the Nigerian striker is Rangers top-scorer and he has now explained the reason behind his strong start to the season.
Speaking with reporters, Dessers alluded that his participation during pre-season as compared to the previous season has helped his form.
“I’m feeling good. For the first time in a few years, I had a full pre-season and I think that’s showed up to now,” Dessers remarked.
“I’ve got some goals and assists already and I’ve had a decent start to the season. It hasn’t been perfect but you can see we’re growing as a team.
“Games against the likes of Lyon will help us massively on our journey.
It’s a learning process for all of us and we have to keep going.”
Dessers has three goals in his first six games in the Scottish Premiership this term but he had just one at this stage in the last campaign, highlighting his upturn in fortune.
However, his form hasn’t earned him a place in the Super Eagles squad as he was excluded from the squad that will face Libya in back-to-back fixtures in the 2025 Africa Cup of the Nations qualifiers.