Super Eagles striker Dessers at the double as Rangers and Union Berlin play out eight-goal thriller 

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers bagged a brace as Rangers played out an eight-goal thriller with Union Berlin in their final pre-season game held at  Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Berlin on Saturday.

After an exciting first half with six goals, the second half saw two more goals added to the tally.

In the fifth minute, Janik Haberer finished through the keeper's legs to open the scoring, but the lead lasted nine minutes as Dessers took a touch around the goalkeeper and sent a low shot beyond Karl Claus after a lovely ball from Mohamed Diomande.

Jordan Siebatcheu converted a penalty safely into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 at minute 21.

However, Rangers had another answer and equalised again through Tom Lawrence who volleyed home inside the box after Dessers' shot was blocked in the 32nd minute. 

For the first time in the game, Rangers took the lead thanks to Lawrence's goal in the 37th minute but the German team drew level through Janik Haberer who finished from close range four minutes before halftime. 

Just before the hour mark,  David Preu, restored Union Berlin's lead with a deflected effort into the far corner, only for Dessers to bring the game back to parity with a low shot into the back of the net.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement made two changes after 79 minutes, bringing on  Leon Balogun and Danilo to replace Ben Davies and Cyriel Dessers.

In their first competitive game of the 2024-2025 season, Rangers will take on Hearts on August 3, corresponding to the first round of matches in the Scottish Premiership.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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