Rangers Coach Confirms Dessers Exit to Panathinaikos
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has “probably played his last game” for the club, according to manager Russell Martin, who confirmed that a deal has been agreed with another club. The news, which broke following Rangers’ goalless draw with rivals Celtic, brings an end to the Nigerian international’s two-year tenure at Ibrox.
Dessers, who was a late substitute in the Old Firm derby, has been at the center of transfer speculation throughout the summer. He had been heavily linked with a move to the Greek Super League, with both Panathinaikos and AEK Athens reportedly vying for his signature. While a move to AEK Athens had initially been on the cards, it is Panathinaikos who have now secured the striker’s services in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £3.5 million.
The 30-year-old, who joined Rangers from Cremonese in 2023 for a fee of around £4.5 million, had a mixed spell in Glasgow. Despite his critics, he proved to be a prolific goalscorer, netting 52 goals in 116 appearances and finishing as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer last season. His record speaks for itself, but his time at the club was often defined by missed opportunities and a divisive relationship with a segment of the fanbase.
Speaking to BBC Scotland after the match, Martin stated, “Cyriel has probably played his last game for us. We’ve agreed on something with another club. We’ll see how that goes in the next 24 hours.” The manager’s comments effectively confirmed the striker’s departure and paved the way for the club to officially announce his move.
Dessers’ exit is part of a larger squad overhaul at Ibrox. With fellow striker Hamza Igamane also leaving the club, Rangers have been active in the transfer market to reshape their attacking options. They have already brought in former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski from Girona and have sealed the signing of Everton forward Youssef Chermiti in a deal that could be worth up to £10 million.
For Dessers, the move to Panathinaikos offers a fresh start in a new league. He leaves Rangers with a mixed legacy, having provided a significant goal return while never fully winning over all of the Ibrox faithful. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, Rangers will look to their new forward line to fill the void and lead the club to future su
ccess.
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