Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has avoided a long-term setback after sustaining a knee injury during the club’s UEFA Champions League qualifier against Czech side Viktoria Plzen earlier this week, manager Russell Martin confirmed. The Nigerian forward, who joined the Scottish Premiership side last summer, was substituted in the 54th minute of Tuesday’s match following a collision but is now expected to return to action sooner than initially feared.
Dessers, a 30-year-old Nigeria international, collapsed awkwardly while challenging for the ball during the first leg of the third qualifying round at Ibrox Stadium. Medical staff assessed the player on the pitch before he walked off unassisted, though visibly in discomfort. Initial fears suggested he could face months on the sidelines, but scans later revealed less severe damage.
“The injury isn’t as bad as we first thought,” Martin told reporters during a press conference on Friday. “Cyriel is still sore, and we need to manage his recovery carefully, but he’ll be back in the coming weeks.” The update offers relief for Rangers, who are balancing domestic and European commitments this month. Dessers has been a regular starter under Martin this season, contributing five goals in nine appearances across competitions.
The striker’s absence will be felt in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup Round of 16 clash against Alloa Athletic, with fringe players likely to rotate into the lineup. Rangers, however, remain optimistic about their Champions League prospects, trailing 2-1 ahead of next week’s decisive second leg in Plzen. Dessers’ potential return could prove vital as the club aims to secure a group-stage berth for the first time since 2022.
While supporters may have to wait several weeks for his comeback, the revised timeline avoids derailing the team’s early-season momentum. Failure to qualify for Europe’s elite competition could have significant financial and sporting ramifications, heightening the importance of squad depth. Martin emphasized a cautious approach to Dessers’ rehabilitation, prioritizing the player’s long-term fitness over rushed decisions.
Rangers’ medical team will monitor the striker’s progress, with a return to light training anticipated within the next 10 days. In the meantime, the focus shifts to navigating fixtures without one of their key attacking options, testing the resilience of a squad chasing silverware on multiple fronts this campaign.
