Dessers enjoying ‘growing’ partnership with captain Tavernier

15 February 2024

Cyriel Dessers says his relationship with James Tavernier is “growing” after the Rangers captain teed up both his goals in the 3-1 win over Ross County on Wednesday.

Dessers latched onto Tavernier’s ball over the top to open the scoring with a precise lob, before nodding home a Tavernier cross to make it 2-1 on the night, and the Nigeria international believes their link-up is starting to become second nature.

“It’s the small things, sometimes we just need eye contact to know what we’re doing,” Dessers said.

“That’s the connection you work on in training and games and obviously, those things were not there in August or September, these things are growing and these goals are a good example but also it happened in December.

“Tav gets the balls there – it’s the job of the striker to finish them.”

Rangers had 43 shots in the win over County, with 23 of those on target, and sit level on points with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

It is now seven wins on the spin for Philippe Clement’s side since the winter break, and Dessers believes both performances and results are boosting excitement levels among Rangers fans.

“The team and me are in a good place,” he added.

“Everyone is scoring and contributing and you also feel the atmosphere, especially in the last games, it’s becoming a little extra compared to the games before.

“We as players feel that as well. That’s really positive, a huge thing which can be a boost for the next 13 games in the league and hopefully that can make the difference.

“It’s a nice feeling and I think there is a really positive vibe in the stadium and the training ground.

“We’re in a good place and want to keep this going. Not just in the locker room but with the fans and we are on a good way with that.”