Super Eagles’ Cyriel Dessers Saves Rangers Against Dynamo Kyiv In UCL Qualifiers

In their attempt to advance to the Champions League, Rangers secured a vital first-leg draw with Dynamo Kyiv thanks to a stunning equaliser from Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Cyriel Dessers in the 94th minute.

Philippe Clement’s team conceded a first-half goal to Andriy Yarmolenko’s team and needed an extra push from Cyriel Dessers to continue with their hunt for a UEFA Champions League slot.

Just like their goalless draw against Heart of Midlothian on Saturday, Rangers were at times reckless and vulnerable, but Dessers’ close-range finish, the game’s last kick, saved what could have been an invaluable outcome at the half-full Lublin Arena in Poland. Note that the conflict in Ukraine required the game to be played at the said location.

After the 1-1 draw, Rangers manager Philippe Clement said: “We had six shots on target, they had three. We kept on pushing until the end to get the result and I’m happy about that because we want this mentality to work until the last second, to keep on going and believing.

“We have several new players now, young players, and they did it. Vaclav [Cerny] had an important assist. Cyriel [Dessers] also kept pushing to get the goal.

“He had a few chances that he finished well and the goalkeeper saved. He kept on believing and I’m happy for him that he scored.”

Cyriel Dessers added: “As a striker you have to believe, even if it is an impossible ball or you don’t think it will fall [to you].

“I knew it was the last ball into the box in the game and that was the case. I was happy to be at the end of it.

“I don’t have to answer people, I’m just doing my job for the team, for the manager, and myself. That’s the only thing that matters.”

Due to the ongoing delays in the reconstruction work at Ibrox, the second leg of the tie will take place at Hampden on Tuesday.

The victorious team will advance to the last stage of the 2024–2025 Champions League qualifiers, where they will play either FC Twente or RB Salzburg. The Austrians have a 2-1 advantage over the Dutch side.