“Rangers Nervously Navigate Potential Blow as Dessers Emerges as AFCON Contingency amid Striker Shortage”
The Scottish newspaper, citing reports from Africa, has revealed that
Dessers might be considered for a spot in Nigeria’s squad at the upcoming international
tournament due to an injury to star striker Victor Boniface.
Philippe Clement has faced challenges in the attacking department lately,
with long-term injuries to Kemar Roofe and Danilo, and Abdallah Sima already on AFCON duty, depleting the options at Ibrox.
The absence of Brighton loanee Sima is particularly impactful, given his role as the
top scorer for Gers this season with 15 goals in 33 appearances.
With Clement’s squad stretched thin, Rangers need to exercise caution as
Dessers could potentially be the next player unavailable.
The injury to Bayer Leverkusen’s Boniface has opened the possibility of the 29-year-old being called up as a replacement.
Despite the recent loan signing of Wolves’ Fabio Silva, Rangers face a shortage up front,
relying on relatively inexperienced players like Ross McCausland, the underwhelming Sam Lammers, and Rabbi Matondo, who is working towards full fitness.
The potential call-up of Dessers to the Nigeria squad for the next month could deal
a significant blow to Rangers’ season, especially with AFCON running until February 11. While the Super Eagles need to secure a place in the final, Dessers’ absence for a month is a plausible scenario.
With upcoming Scottish Premiership and Europa League fixtures, Clement faces a challenging task managing his mixed squad, largely assembled through Michael Beale’s summer spending spree. Already eight points behind Celtic at the top of the league table, Rangers cannot afford to lose another player to injury or international duties, considering Sima’s absence with Senegal.
The only consolation for the club is that Nice’s Terem Moffi stands ahead of Dessers in line to replace Boniface. However, it remains uncertain whether the French side will permit him to leave for the tournament.
Clement likely breathed a sigh of relief when Dessers was excluded from the Nigeria squad. Despite fair criticism for his performances this season, the alternative scenario could have been more challenging for Rangers.
Read more updates on sporttoday.co.uk
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