Baffled Neil Lennon has called out Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers for failing to step up in the penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic.
The frontman came off the bench in extra time with the Premier Sports Cup final going all the way to spot-kicks. However, the Rangers No. 9 remained at the halfway line watching on as Rangers teammate Ridvan Yilmaz stepped up to miss the crucial penalty that gifted Celtic the trophy – while goalkeeper Jack Butland also took the fifth strike at Kasper Schmeichel before the 30-year-old.
Looking back on Schmeichel’s save to deny defender Yilmaz from 12-yards, the former Celtic boss and player Lennon told Premier Sports: “It’s a great save. He has got down quickly. It’s not a great contact. I wasn’t overly confident in Yilmaz going up to take the penalty kick there. I am looking at Dessers, I am looking at Dowell, I am looking at Connor Barron.
“They were fresh. They have only been on 10-15 minutes. Your number 9 – don’t leave it to a young left-back. For me, you pick your five and some people take a step back and some people take a step forward. You would want your striker to step up.”
Michael Stewart attempted to explain the rationale behind the call from Philippe Clement adding: “Neil makes a good point – with being fresh. Maybe the thought is that he is not up to speed yet. But as a striker you would be wanting that.”
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