'Brilliant worker' Dessers delivers at death to mark Rangers century

Cyriel Dessers celebrates his stoppage-time winner for Rangers at Dens Park

Cyriel Dessers made sure his 100th competitive appearance for Rangers was a memorable one, grabbing a stoppage-time winner in a topsy-turvy, seven-goal epic away to Dundee.

The 30-year-old striker was the hero, but only after putting visiting fans and his manager through the wringer with a host of missed chances, along with a VAR offside intervention.

Barry Ferguson declared Dessers "a joy to work with" but the interim boss must have been close to exasperated.

The Nigerian had 12 attempts on goal, the highest total for a player in the Premiership this season. Nine of those were on target.

"He should have had about five (goals)," said Sportscene host Steven Thompson, "But the great thing about Dessers is that he just keeps coming back for more."

His 23rd goal of the season arrived with effort number 10 in the 93rd minute as he finally found a way past goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

Aaron Donnelly's attempt at a headed clearance sat up for Dessers, who controlled with his chest before turning home a deft finish.

Tough to take for relegation-threatened Dundee, who twice held a two-goal lead, but demonstrative of the enigmatic Dessers, who might just best represent a wildly inconsistent season for his team.

Yes, his tally should be higher but he regularly makes a vital contribution.

"You have to give the goalkeeper credit, he made some really good saves," said Ferguson of Dessers' exploits.

"But one thing about the big man, he has been a joy to work with, and he is a brilliant worker. Brilliant listener. He wants to improve even at his age.

"He puts himself in brilliant positions, he can get frustrated and start feeling sorry for himself, but he keeps going.

"He got his reward with the winner.

"Even before I took the job I always said the big guy would keep going. If he got criticism from fans, the media, the big man just rolls his sleeves up.

"I didn't think it would affect him and it never affected him. He kept going. If you have that type of character then you get your rewards in the end."