A corner from James Tavernier after nine minutes almost fell to the much-maligned striker but he failed to swivel and make contact with the ball at Hampden Park.
Pundit Stewart, speaking on co-commentary for Viaplay (17 December, 3:10pm), is not convinced Dessers is the man to lead Rangers’ forward line moving forward and Clement will be looking for New Year reinforcements.
“He’s (Dessers) got to take confidence from his goal during the week (against Real Betis), he’s got to be thinking he’s fortunate there’s so many injuries in that key area that he’s got another clear run at this here,” Stewart said.
“But there’s no question Philippe Clement will be telling the board ‘I need money, I need to go and get a striker in January’ because Dessers has not fitted into the club yet and Rangers are not going to hang about too long if their number nine’s not doing the job they expect.”
Rangers have had real issues in the forward areas all season despite the recruitment done in the summer by former boss Michael Beale, whose signings were noted as a reason for his ultimate demise at Ibrox.
Danilo looked the most likely candidate to be the long-term option as a central striker but a long-term knee injury, which could rule him out until April, means there is a spot free at number nine for Rangers.
It presented an opportunity for Dessers, who was on target in a crucial 3-2 Europa League win at Real Betis in midweek for his eighth goal of the season in all competitions.
But Stewart is right that Dessers has thus far proven an unreliable source of goals and frankly if Rangers are going to keep competing in the Scottish Premiership title race then they need new bodies up top. This moment here proved that Dessers just does not have that killer instinct required.
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