In a commanding 5-0 victory over Fraserburgh, Rangers head coach Philippe Clement heaped praise on Cyriel Dessers after the Super Eagles striker scored his first hat-trick for the Scottish giants.

The 30-year-old Nigerian forward, who had been relegated to the bench for six weeks due to inconsistent performances and the rise of Moroccan U-23 talent Hamza Igamane, was given a rare start in this match. However, it seemed like history might repeat itself when Dessers missed a golden opportunity just six minutes into the game, failing to convert an open goal.

But instead of letting the early setback define his night, Dessers bounced back with a vengeance, netting three goals in an inspiring performance that silenced his critics.

Rangers boss Clement highlighted the forward’s resilience and work ethic:
“It proved his mentality, the way he has been working in the last few weeks when he has played less due to the rise of Hamza. Cyriel is a very good character in the dressing room who works hard, and he got his reward for all of that hard work,” Clement said via the club’s official website.

The victory was a confidence booster ahead of a crucial UEFA Europa League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Clement acknowledged the challenges ahead, with injuries and squad limitations creating obstacles:
“We are in a very good position in the Europa League, but this is a huge challenge. We need to be physically, mentally, and tactically ready for a big game. It is a challenge, but it is a nice one, and we are going to go full to try and get the maximum points there.”

Manchester United, currently 13th in the Premier League and struggling in 7th place in their Europa League group, present an opportunity for Rangers to solidify their standing in Europe.