Dessers absent from Rangers squad v Club Brugge as new Nigerian signing makes debut

Cyriel Dessers was seen at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Rangers battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly against Belgian side Club Brugge.

The Nigeria international has been heavily linked with a summer move to Greek Super League side AEK Athens, but Rangers are playing hardball over the striker’s transfer fee, complicating a potential deal.

Dessers was given an extended vacation because he was on international duty with the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup in May, which might have contributed to the decision of manager Russell Martin not to include the forward in the gameday squad.

Ahead of kickoff, Dessers was seen engaging with supporters at Ibrox, posing for photos and signing autographs for Rangers fans.

Despite the Super Eagles star missing out on the matchday squad, there was still Nigerian representation in the fixture, as new signing Emmanuel Fernandez made his unofficial debut for Rangers, coming off the bench during the second half.

A centre-back by trade, Fernandez was introduced in the 60th minute of the pre-season match, making his first unofficial appearance just four days after completing his move.

Club Brugge raced into a two-goal lead with strikes from Hugo Vetlesen and Ludovit Reis in the first half, but Rangers fought back after the break, with Mohamed Diomande and Findlay Curtis netting to secure a 2-2 draw in the friendly.

While Raphael Onyedika was not included in the squad for the friendly, his Club Brugge teammate Vince Osuji featured in the match.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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