Latest news with #Tav
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Russell Martin explains Rangers changes as one out injured
The pair were dropped from the side after the disappointment of drawing with Motherwell and featured off the bench against Viktoria Plzen and Dundee. However, the manager was pleased with their contribution in those games and both are back in from the start for tonight's second leg against the Czechs. Max Aarons has also picked up a knock which is a factor in Tavernier playing, with Martin revealing the Bournemouth loanee was unavailable tonight but will be back to face Alloa Athletic on Saturday. He told BBC Scotland: "I think that is the right team to play tonight to win the game. Nico was fantastic when he came on Saturday, as was Tav, had a big moment for us and executed it. Read more: "Max picked up a little bit of a knock before the game on Saturday and got through it as best as he could, but it's actually set him back a little bit. "So he'll be fit for the weekend, but there was no point in bringing him to travel and he's now got a bit of time to recover now. So Tav and Nico really helped the team on Saturday and they're in tonight." As well as Aarons, the other player to drop out is midfielder Joe Rothwell. After initially partnering Raskin, the Englishman was preferred for recent games but has now been taken out. "He's come in, he's done great," Martin explained. "He's looked a bit tired on Saturday and we've just gone for energy. So we have two really good options there. They might end up on the pitch together at some point tonight. "But yeah, he's done great, but it's now Nico's turn and I've said that no one gets dropped, just be ready at any moment. And Tav and Nico have been really good in their response, so now Joe needs to do the same."
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Cyriel Dessers remains a Rangers enigma but here's 3 reasons next manager would be wise to keep him
The Rangers striker has 50 goals but only one trophy although that says more about Gers squad than Dessers himself It's hard not to like Cyriel Dessers. In two years at Rangers, he's produced moments that have got you off your seat. And others that have left you scratching your head in disbelief. But whether he's been good, bad or indifferent in a game - he always fronts up. Importantly, Dessers conducts himself the way a Rangers player should. That's why any new manager who arrives at the club this summer would be wise to hold on to him. On top of that, of course, he's scored 50 goals. That landmark was hit on Wednesday night against Dundee United when he helped himself to a brace. His header to put Barry Ferguson's team level was a thing of beauty - bulleted into the top corner. And his second came from the penalty spot after skipper James Tavernier handed him the honour to secure the half ton. Dessers has been a bit of an enigma in a Rangers shirt. He's bagged 50 - yet you still ask yourself how many COULD he have got if not for a glut of missed chances? But ultimately, the 30-year-old has done his job by averaging 25 a season at Ibrox. So why does he only have one trophy - a League Cup - to show for it? When you step back and reflect, you realise that it's others in that Rangers dressing-room who have let the club down in that time - not the big Nigerian front-man. If he was selfish, he could peddle that narrative himself. Who would blame him after a half-century of goals? But that's not Dessers' style. Instead, after hitting his milestone he decided to praise others, including his captain for gifting him a spot kick. Rather than take all the credit for his 50 - he thanked others around him. Especially Tavernier who, like Dessers, has endured flak from fans and pundits alike during his time in Glasgow. Dessers said: 'It says a lot about Tav as a captain that he made that gesture on Wednesday. Because we all know that Tav also loves his goals. He loves his set-pieces, penalties, free-kicks and corner kicks. 'He takes them amazingly well. So to give that one to me speaks for him as a person and as a captain. I was really thankful to him for that. 'The way Tav stays calm and focused, doing his thing here, is admirable. It's something all players can learn from. Rangers is a beautiful club but not an easy club to play for. 'So to be here for 10 years and play 500 games, that definitely means something. In my two years here, his biggest attribute in the dressing-room has been his calmness. 'He's never panicking or stressing and I think he's tried to pass that on to me as well. That's another thing I have to thank him for.' So will he now be demanding to take penalties for Rangers from now on? Again, that's not in the striker's nature. Dessers said: 'We (him and Tav) spoke briefly about it and obviously to hit the 50 with a penalty was going to be a good feeling. 'So I have to thank Tav, because normally he's the number one taker and he does it very well. Will I tell him it's now my job? I don't think it will be as easy as that!' Dessers has split the Rangers support since the day he was signed by Michael Beale from Feyenoord in July 2023. His start to life in Glasgow was unspectacular and - given the money the club had spent on him - it resulted in him being jeered at times by the home crowd. But that's why Dessers should be kept under a new regime. He's one of few in that dressing-room with the character and mentality to brush off flak and produce the goods. As he reflected on his time at Rangers, he said: 'The start was very difficult, not just for me but everyone within the club. 'If I look at how the team was playing at that time, it was difficult, even for the staff as well. 'It's normal as a new striker that you struggle. But after that, from the moment Philippe Clement came in, I started scoring. 'If you look at how many I've scored in that period, I think it says something about the quality to create chances for myself and pick out good positions. 'It sounds like a cliche but I can't do it without my team-mates who have to deliver to me - like Jefte on Wednesday night who was amazing. 'Tav has also given me several great crosses in these two years. 'It's nice to be the end point of an attack and score - but that's the job of a Rangers number nine. 'I'm very proud and 50 is a nice number. But if you're a number nine at Rangers, you have to score a lot of goals.' Dessers 'gets it' at Rangers. He might not be the best player on the pitch at times and, of course, he can always improve. But he's now the Scottish Premiership's top scorer. Yet his club are nowhere near challenging for the title. That says more about the rest of Gers' squad than him. Dessers is well aware of what it takes to cut it at Ibrox. And that's why he's determined to spearhead a new era next term under new American ownership. He said: 'I played at Feyenoord in the Netherlands and Genk in Belgium before this. 'They are clubs who are supposed to win. They need to battle for the league title as well. 'There, if you draw or lose a game the people obviously aren't happy. 'But they can accept it, in a way, and move on to next week. 'If you drop points here, in this city, then it's a huge thing. That's very difficult to deal with as a player. 'But it's also one of the most beautiful things about this club. 'The pressure to win every game, not even draw. You have to win and if you don't you will feel it. 'That's difficult but also beautiful. My ambitions are clear here. This season has been very bumpy. 'Next season, I want to be better myself and do better as a team. 'I want to win trophies. If they need me, I'll be there.'
The National
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Classy Tavernier gesture that let Dessers reach Rangers milestone
Tavernier is usually on spot-kicks, although he let Dessers step up on Wednesday evening because he was just one goal away from reaching 50 in light blue. The Nigerian converted with aplomb to put Rangers in front with just under 15 to go. It was his second of the evening in an eventual 3-1 win over Dundee United. Read more: Dessers revealed post-match that Tavernier agreed to let him hit a spot-kick if push came to shove: "We spoke briefly about it and obviously to hit the 50 with a penalty was going to be a good feeling," he said. "So I have to thank Tav because normally he's the number one taker and he does it very well. Will I tell him it's now my job? I don't think it will be as easy as that! "I think it says a lot about Tav as a captain that he made that gesture. Because we all know that Tav also loves his goals. He loves his set-pieces, penalties, free-kicks and corner kicks. He takes them amazingly well. So to give that one to me speaks for him as a person and as a captain. I was really thankful to him for that. "The way Tav stays calm and focused, doing his thing here, is admirable. It's something all players can learn from. Rangers is a beautiful club but not an easy club to play for. So to be here for 10 years and play 500 games, that definitely means something."
