Cyriel Dessers showcased his “bulletproof mentality” with a brilliant hat-trick as Rangers triumphed 5-0 over Fraserburgh at Ibrox to secure their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.
Despite an early miss, Dessers’ composure and determination saw him get a hat-trick, proving his resilience and clinical ability in front of goal.
“I think it’s just the life of a striker, you will miss some chances,” Dessers said after the game. “You just have to stay in the game, and I know chances will come, and then I have to make the next one.”
The match began with Rangers dominating possession, but it wasn’t until the 27th minute that they broke the deadlock.
After missing an early opportunity, Dessers made amends by heading in a corner from captain James Tavernier to give Rangers the lead.
In the second half, French defender Clinton Nsiala doubled the advantage with a deflected shot before Dessers added a second, firing home a pass from Ross McCausland just five minutes later.
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He then turned provider, assisting McCausland for a fourth goal before completing his hat-trick with a clinical strike from a tight angle in the dying moments, sealing a 5-0 win for Rangers.
Despite losing his regular starting place this season, Dessers has made 33 appearances, starting 22 and scoring 16 goals.
His recent form has been marked by occasional inconsistencies, leading to speculation about his future at Ibrox.
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However, his hat-trick against Fraserburgh was a timely reminder of his quality and tenacity.
Rangers captain James Tavernier praised Dessers’ ability to rise above the noise and deliver when it mattered most.
“Cyriel is someone who always rises above the noise,” Tavernier said.
“I’m really pleased for him that he was rewarded with a hat-trick tonight. He’s been working hard, and it’s great to see him get the recognition.”
Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield, who was part of the BBC Scotland punditry team for the game, echoed those sentiments, comparing Dessers’ mentality to that of former striker Alfredo Morelos.
“Any good striker who misses a chance, they just go back for more,” Arfield said. “Dessers has that same bulletproof mentality – you need that as a striker.”
Dessers’ match-winning performance not only sealed a dominant victory for Rangers but also reaffirmed his value to the team.
