There are few current Rangers players better placed to explain the mental strength required to succeed at Ibrox than Cyriel Dessers.

The Nigerian striker, 29, endured somewhat of a challenging start to life at Rangers. In fact, the groans over missed chances at times seemed to echo.

But to his credit, Dessers never once shirked responsibility or allowed himself to hide on the pitch and now he is reaping the rewards - even if the occasional groan can still be heard.

“It fair to say they [the fans] wanted more - and we wanted more as well," said Dessers of Rangers' 3-1 victory over Ross County in which he scored a brace. "But sometimes you have these days where you are a little bit unlucky or the goalkeeper is amazing. But I think the most important thing is that we had a lot of chances and shots. Let’s hope we can have a bit more luck in the next game."

With the score locked at 1-1 and the half-time break approaching, Dessers sensed some nervousness but perhaps unlike in early periods of the season Rangers came through the pressure to claim a victory to go level on points with Celtic.

"I think that mental strength comes with the confidence we have in our qualities and as a team," he said. "Maybe a few months ago that would have been different, but now we know what we are capable of. I think the fans know that as well.

"I sensed a little bit of nervousness after it went 1-1. But I think everyone could see a few minutes after that we went back to doing what we do. We scored a good goal right before half-time and the vibe in the stadium is completely different.

"There is something growing in the stadium as well. The atmosphere has always been good, but in the last few games it has been a little bit extra. We as players notice it as well. That is a huge boost, a huge positive point.

"If we can keep growing like this together with the fans I think we are capable of beautiful things this season.”

It's testament to Dessers' unwavering desire to score that he set himself a lofty 25-goal contribution this term - and with 14 goals and seven assists so far he is close to his target.

He said: “Before the season we had to talk about our goals with the striker coach. I don’t like to pin myself to a number of goals, but I said I want to contribute to 25 goals in the season.

"I am on 21 now with 14 goals and seven assists. So we are getting closer. I hope we still have a lot of games to go in the league, in Europe, in the cup. I am not satisfied with this. I want more goals, I want more assists, I want more victories. We want to keep going, all of us.”

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While Dessers is thrilled to be leaving his own moments of concern in the past, he is just as thrilled to see Rangers have the momentum in the Scottish Premiership having clawed back eight points on Celtic.

“There were some difficult moments that’s for sure," he said when asked whether he ever thought the title was gone. "If you are eight points behind I can tell you the atmosphere in the locker room is not as nice as it is just now. But in training we could see the individual qualities.

"Then it was all about forming a team with a bond and getting back into shape and form again. You can see now a few months later what we are capable of. I think there is still some, maybe not a lot, growth left. We are growing towards our top level.

“I think that is clear [Rangers have the momentum]. Since the gaffer came we have only lost one game and drawn three. We have won more than 20 games. That is pretty good momentum.

"The most important thing is to keep this going, to keep this positive vibe. Even if something happens, don’t let it put you off. We are in a good way, we are working hard, our ideas are clear. We just need to keep going.”