Cyriel Dessers’ opening goal against Kilmarnock was veiled with controversy as Rangers came from behind to win 4-2 at Rugby Park on Wednesday.
Barry Ferguson was left shellshocked when Killie raced into a two-goal lead within 14 minutes but a vital earlier substitution to hook Clinton Nsiala before the half-hour marked proved vital.
Vaclav Cerny pulled one back 10 minutes before the break before Dessers, 30, bagged a second-half brace for the Gers to take the lead with Nedim Bajrami rounding off the six-goal thriller in the 85th minute.
It was the first of Dessers’ goals that caused a stir with Derek McInnes kicking off about the fact it was allowed to happen after the game.
Keith Hackett blasts Don Robertson’s assistant in Kilmarnock v Rangers
McInnes, who is a supposed contender to be the next Rangers manager, hit out at referee Don Robertson for awarding Ferguson’s side the corner that Dessers scored from.
Initially, Robertson pointed for a goal-kick when Ianis Hagi‘s shot went wide of the goal. However, it seemd that the referee was misguided by an all-to-eager assitant, according to Keith Hackett.
“The referee is in a good position and judged that it was a goal kick very accurately. He should have stuck to his original decision,” the former PGMOL general manager told Ibrox News.
Scottish PremiershipDessers statsAppearance25Starts15Goals10Assists2Dessers’ Scottish Premiership stats in 2024/25
“It’s evident that the assistant was not looking at his colleague and raised his flag to indicate a corner kick. By doing so, it created doubt in the referee’s mind that was sufficient for him to change his decision to a corner kick.
“When this happens, indecision puts doubt about the award in the minds of everyone at the game.
“It was a clear breakdown in teamwork between the referee and an unhelpful assistant’s raised flag.
“The assistant, before raising his flag, should have been looking towards his colleague and recognised the referee’s position and firm decision. He then should’ve kept his flag down.”
Dessers takes his opportunities in Rangers win
For all the stick Dessers gets at Rangers, he doesn’t half score a lot of goals.
While there’s always the argument that he should score more, Dessers has 20 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions this season, meaning he’s averaging almost a goal every other game.
According to FotMob, Desser’s xG in the Scottish Premiership is 9.2, yet he’s scored 10 in the league, meaning he’s actually overperforming in front of goal in that competition.
Ex-Pgmol chief: Don Robertson in ‘clear breakdown’ amid footage of Rangers incident v Kilmarnock
