Dessers optimistic about season ahead after scoring first Rangers goal

Cyriel Dessers is confident the new-look Rangers forward line can flourish together in the coming weeks as the team continues to grow.

The Nigeria international grabbed his first goal for the club in Wednesday night’s 2-1 Champions League qualifier win over Servette at Ibrox.

He started the game alongside fellow summer signings Sam Lammers and Danilo as Michael Beale’s men gained a slight advantage to take over to Switzerland for next week’s second leg.

The win came after a disappointing defeat to Kilmarnock in their Premiership opener at the weekend that left many supporters fearing for the season ahead.

But the 28-year-old, who joined from Italian side Cremonese as one of nine new signings, is optimistic of what the future holds as they begin to forge an understanding.

Speaking after the game against Servette he said: “I liked it a lot, together with Sam, Danilo and then the guys coming off the bench.

“I think they’re all really good players and then it’s easy to play together with them and we get a lot of freedom from our gaffer and we need to use it.

“And like I said, this partnership, this relationship has to grow and I’m sure it will grow. And I think we can we can benefit a lot from each other.

“Of course, I know [Danilo] from the Dutch League, and he’s a really nice guy as well, how he came into the locker room.

“He’s a delightful guy. He’s a good player as well and I think it can be very exciting if we can grow as a partnership and hopefully we can both benefit from it, both score goals and be important for the team.”

Rangers take on Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday as they look to get their first three points in the bag in their quest to unseat city rivals Celtic as Premiership champions.

If they manage to get past Servette they will face a tough play-off game against PSV Eindhoven for a place in the Champions League group stages.