Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, scored a brace against Dundee FC as his club side secured a semi-final spot in the Scottish League Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Philippe Clement’s side welcomed Dundee FC to their home ground, with the 29-year-old leading the frontline at Ibrox.
The Nigerian had scored five goals and provided two assists in eight games across all competitions for Rangers this term, and needed just 18 minutes to break the deadlock.
A brilliant through ball from Jefte freed Nedim Bajrami down the left and the Albanian swept the ball into the box for Dessers to tap home, but the former Feyenoord man was denied by Trevor Carson. The rebound fell kindly to James Tavernier who shot back on goal, with Dessers putting a foot on the ball to guide it home for the opener.
The first goal back at Ibrox belongs to Cyriel Dessers! 👏
It’s an early lead for Rangers 🔵#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/YkCkRtq9Mi
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 21, 2024
Club captain, James Tavernier, doubled Rangers’ lead from the spot five minutes after the restart, cooly slotting the penalty past Trevor Carson.
🥶 @James_Tavernier pic.twitter.com/kTdMQTeFuk
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 21, 2024
Six minutes after the hour mark, Dessers grabbed his second goal of the game. This time, Nedim Bajrami turned provider. The Albanian winger played a cross on the counter into Dessers’ path and the ex-Cremonese man launched a beautiful half-volley into Dundee’s goal to send Rangers through to the League Cup semi-final.
Make it a double for Dessers! 🔥
Rangers look to be well on their way to the Semi-Finals now 🔵#PremierSportsCup | @SPFL pic.twitter.com/k9RqkybIhi
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 21, 2024
Rangers will now wait for the outcome of the game between Celtic and Falkirk to know their opponents for the semi-final.
FULL-TIME: Rangers 3-0 Dundee
💙 Victory at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/zzppc764Ij
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 21, 2024
Rangers are currently third on the SPFL table, five points behind their rivals, Celtic. They continue their campaign by travelling to Sweden on Thursday to take on Malmö FF at the Eleda Stadion.