Cyriel Dessers sulked down the tunnel on Thursday after taking a rogue finger nail to the eye.
But the stroppy striker was in better mood on Sunday as he was at last able to thumb a nose at his Ibrox critics. The Rangers hitman was forced to say sorry to boss Philippe Clement after his remarkable meltdown during this week’s Europa League hammering of Steaua Bucharest.
He effectively substituting himself off against the Romanians after claiming he’d suffered a loss of vision during an off-the-ball tussle with defender Mihai Popescu. But three days on, it was Dessers who ensured Rangers and their faint title aspirations haven’t been left seeing stars after he climbed off the bench to set up Vaclav Cerny’s crucial winner in the 2-1 triumph over St Mirren. And an understanding Clement was happy to accept the 29-year-old’s apology after that emotional outburst.
Asked if his part in the goal was the perfect way to make amends, his gaffer said: “Yes. I told you guys what happened on Thursday, and it’s Cyril with his big heart, and he showed his big heart also today, the way he came on. So he loves this club, he wants to give everything to get results, and that he showed not only with the assist, but also when the ball went out to do a fast throw and keep the tempo going on higher than it was first half. That’s what I wanted, what I demanded also after our first half, and being important in that way. So the striker is not only scoring the goals, he’s also giving assists and working hard, and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Dessers could have made the six minutes of injury time Gers were forced to see out a little calmer on the Ibrox nerves. But he saw a couple of late chances denied along with a stoppage-time spot-kick appeal. Clement added: “It’s a little bit of pity that at the end he didn’t get a penalty. I didn’t see the action, so I cannot say if it was correct or not.
“That would have been an extra reward for him.”
The truth is that the Rangers support have seen the full spectrum of Dessers’ on-filed character play out this week.
He’s a striker that the fans at one moment want to strangle then the next are rushing to acclaim.
They’ll just have to hope it’s the latter and not the former when they head to Pittodrie for Wednesday’s crunch clash against Jimmy Thelin’s joint Premiership leaders.
But Clement is happy to see Nico Raskin time his return to the big stage perfectly ahead of his team’s Dons test.
The big Belgian was looking forward to working with his fellow countryman when he joined Gers last year.
A series of injuries have limited his involvement so far but against Steaua and Saints, the former Standard Liege midfielder gave his boss a reminder of the qualities he first showed when they were back working in their homeland.”
“I’ve known Nico a long, long time,” said Clement. “I first came across him when he was a young boy coming to the youth ranks of Standard. I know him from before, when he was playing in the youth of Standard. So it’s not a surprise for me, it’s about getting him to this level and to raise the level still.
“He’s been really unlucky in that way. When I came in, in the beginning, he played, I don’t know, one, two games, three games, and then he got a really, really bad injury and it was a long time out.
“He got an injury this season also that was a while out, and then you need some time to get back in rhythm and to grow to your best level. But I know he’s a fighter with good feet and with the right mentality that suits this club.
“So, yeah, I’m happy to see now the Nico that I expected already nine months ago. But, yeah, that’s part of football with injuries, that you lose some time.”
Clement used the visit of Stephen Robinson’s side to freshen up his line-up.
James Tavernier was handed a rare rest as Nana Kasanwirjo started at right-back.
But it was only when the on-loan Feyenoord defender shifted into centre-back late on did Rangers appear to have any control having been run ragged by Paisley flyer Toyosi Olusanya.
Clement said: “I’m made changes for a reason. In that moment, I wanted to get some stability in the way that St Mirren was playing, and he did a good job.
“So we will see for the future in that way. He was playing also a good job on the right full-back, although he could play more offensive in the first half, second half was much better in that way.
“Nana is still young, he’s only 22, with a lot of potential, and he can play all over the defence.
“He played a really good game in Malmo at left full-back in a certain role.
“It’s not the same role that Jefte has, for example.
“So we’re really pleased how he came into the building, how he’s in the squad, how he’s available also in different positions, and you need players like that.
“So I can praise him also after this game.”