AliousNew Rangers manager Russell Martin hasn’t had long in the job, but he’s already staring down a major problem—and it centres on Cyriel Dessers. With the club’s Champions League qualifiers fast approaching, Martin is under pressure to get his squad in shape, and the looming departure of his top scorer threatens to derail those plans before they begin.
Dessers, who split opinion among Rangers fans last season, ended the campaign with an impressive 18 goals in all competitions. Despite the numbers, many supporters grew weary of his inconsistent finishing and wasteful streak in front of goal. Calls for an upgrade have been frequent—yet losing Dessers now could create a bigger problem than many expected.
According to reports, Greek side AEK Athens have made significant progress in their pursuit of the Nigerian forward, with a verbal agreement already reached with the player. While no formal deal has been struck yet, Rangers are said to be holding out for around £5 million—slightly more than the £4.5 million they paid for him.
On the surface, making a profit on a 30-year-old striker seems like good business. But Daily Record journalist Scott McDermott has warned that Dessers’ exit would immediately rob Martin of a proven goal source. Writing on June 16, McDermott noted: “If Dessers completes a move to AEK Athens this week, the new Ibrox gaffer will immediately lose a guaranteed 25 goals from his team.”
With the season’s preparations beginning imminently, Martin would be forced to move quickly to fill that void. For a club aiming to topple Celtic and make waves in Europe, having a consistent goalscorer is crucial. While Dessers may not be universally loved, his contribution in front of goal was undeniable.
In an ideal scenario, Rangers could have kept Dessers as a backup or rotational option—someone capable of making an impact off the bench. But with a long-term strategy focused on sustainability under the 49ers’ leadership and Andrew Cavenagh’s guidance, selling high and reinvesting wisely remains a top priority.
The dilemma now facing Russell Martin isn’t just about losing a striker—it’s about finding a replacement who can match Dessers’ output under mounting time pressure. The clock is ticking, and the Gers’ summer rebuild just got a lot more complicated.
Alious
