Cyriel Dessers addresses Fabio Silva deal and Rangers silverware bid

Dessers put pen-to-paper on a move to Rangers in the summer fully cognisant of the pressures that would be on his shoulders and the return that was expected. At times, he has carried more than his fair share of the scoring burden this season.

The Nigerian would be the first to admit that he hasn’t always lived up to the price tag or the pre-season platitudes. A return of nine goals from 30 appearances is hardly prolific and Dessers heads into the second half of the campaign with plenty of doubters to win over. The best way to that, of course, is to put the ball in the back of the net.

Six of the goals that Dessers has scored in blue have come under the guidance of Philippe Clement. Three of them – in the Premiership wins over Dundee and St Johnstone and historic Europa League triumph over Real Betis – were scored during a decisive December that has given Rangers encouragement for what could come.

With Danilo ruled out for the foreseeable future and Kemar Roofe still beset by injury issues, Dessers will have a significant part to play as Clement’s side look to add the league title and Scottish Cup to the Viaplay Cup that was lifted last month.

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Dessers will not be the lone Ranger in the final third, though. The arrival of Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers has given Clement another much-needed option up front and Rangers remain in the market for further reinforcements. Without them, their chances of success appear slim.

Dessers will be ready, willing and able to play his part when Rangers return to competitive action against Dumbarton on Saturday evening. There is every chance that he will miss out on a start and that Silva will get the nod, despite the former Cremonese star netting a neat dink in the draw with FC Copenhagen at Ibrox. Going forward, the responsibility will be shared and each individual endeavour could prove crucial in the search for team medals.

“It's part of being at a top club like Rangers there will always be competition,” Dessers said. “I think it's only a good thing. I am not here for only myself I am here for the team and I just want to win trophies here. I don't care who makes the goal or wins us the game. I just want to win and that's the important thing. Fabio is a good player and I hope he can help us a lot but I hope I can also do my thing of course.

“I definitely think [I am in better form under the manager]. If you look at the split of my stats before the manager came and when he did I think it is a big difference. I think there is still growth left and I am working hard everyday to get better, in better shape and form and hopefully, we can help the teams win a lot of games.

“We spoke about [my confidence] but at this point, we don't need to talk about it every day. He knows what I can do, I know he sees my qualities and now I have to work hard and fight for the team.”

Dessers has faced many questions over his quality over the course of the campaign but few could query his commitment to the cause. He is a personable character and supporters would happily eat humble pie if he was able to turn around his Ibrox fortunes in the coming weeks and months. Clement has given him his backing. Now it must be repaid in the best manner possible.

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A training camp in La Manga last week saw Clement step up his preparations for the Premiership run-in and Scottish Cup bid. A return to European action is also on the horizon for a squad that could achieve great things together this term.

The friendly with FC Copenhagen on Tuesday evening followed a bounce-game defeat to Hertha Berlin. The results and the performances in both fixtures mattered little as Rangers made the most of the chance to regroup and refresh after a hectic few months at home and abroad.

“That's the case,” Dessers said when asked about the importance of time training with Clement. “During the season especially this last month, it's been game to game. Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday. Now we can work a little more on the details and I think that's the good thing.

“It's tough on the body obviously [to be playing every three days]. I needed a couple of days last week to prepare and recover a little bit. Once you're in the rhythm it's actually ok and I think the players are used to it. Like the last months if you win a lot of games and have these special nights like Seville or the cup final you have and extra boost and the next day you don't feel it in your legs.

“It was definitely hard work [in La Manga] but that's what we are here for and what we knew it would be. It's good to be with the team, obviously, we spend a lot of time together in all these European games as well but in a different setting. A little sun during the day. Work hard, being together, eating together, sleep and that's it. Obviously, you get closer and that's a good thing to get this new energy again to go for the second half of the season.”

A trip to face Dumbarton is not exactly a glamorous way for Rangers to begin their bid for further glories this season. It is imperative, though, that Clement’s side pick up where they left off after a crucial victory over Kilmarnock before the winter break.

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The first of their two games in hand in the title race comes at Easter Road next week. The matches will once again come thick and fast for Rangers and the opportunity to build momentum, and ultimately emerge victorious, has presented itself at Ibrox.

“That's it - in the last two months have been very good for us,” Dessers said. “We won almost every game bar one and we need to keep this feeling going and keep growing. There's still a lot of growth left I think for our team and if we can achieve that then a lot of beautiful things are possible.”