Nigeria Players Abroad
Dessers leads by example as Rangers boss slams “ego-driven” squad After SPFL opener slip-up
By Dayo Awoniyi
Rangers manager Russell Martin has praised Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers for his commitment and work ethic following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener — while issuing a scathing critique of the rest of his squad’s mentality.
Dessers, a reported transfer target for Greek side AEK Athens, began the match on the bench but came on in the 63rd minute and impressed with his intensity and effort. His display stood in stark contrast to what Martin described as a lack of fight and discipline across much of the team.
“Cyriel Dessers is the only one that we’ve actually had a bid for, and he comes on and he runs so hard. Some of them need to have a look at him and set that example,” Martin said in his post-match comments.
The result — sealed by an 89th-minute equaliser from Emmanuel Longelo — denied Rangers all three points at Fir Park and left Martin visibly frustrated.
“Some of them have to drop their ego,” he added. “I’ll look at us tactically and accept my responsibility, but today, it’s not really tactical. It’s a mentality problem, and we got more than what we deserved, actually.”
Martin was clear that a cultural shift is needed within the squad if Rangers are to meet their expectations this season.
“There will be people left behind if they don’t want to come. They’ll be left behind because they need to understand what playing for this football club really takes — and not just when things are going well.”
Rangers now face mounting pressure heading into Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen — a crucial fixture that could define both their season and Dessers’ future at the club.
“We need to work out quickly who really wants to listen, who will really fight, who will really run when the going gets tough,” Martin said.
Despite the swirling transfer speculation, it was Dessers — the man with one foot potentially out the door — who showed he still has both boots planted firmly in the fight.
