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(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Tue 19 August 2025 19:44, UK

Cyriel Dessers could be a surprise winner of the Premiership’s Player of the Year award this season.

That is according to former England and Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that the Nigeria international has the potential to win the award if he can build up his momentum.

Dessers has scored 52 goals in 115 games for Rangers since joining from Italian side Cremonese in 2023.

However, the forward has struggled with consistency issues during his time at Ibrox, often scoring in patches.

Rangers were considering letting Dessers go this summer if they were to receive a good enough offer, Mick Brown told Football Insider on 10 July.

But the 30-year-old has established himself as first-choice under Russell Martin, and could be a surprise contender for the Player of the Year award if the Bears find form under the former Southampton boss.

Cyriel Dessers has scored once in six appearances to start the season.

(Credit Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

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Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier said that he would not be surprised if Daizen Maeda repeats his stellar performances from last year, but picked Rangers forward Dessers to win the Player of the Year award.

He said: “It’s a fair chance it’s going to be a Celtic player, but then you’ve got people like Lawrence Shankland, who scores a lot of goals.



Daizen Maeda won the award last year after a stellar season with Celtic.

“The other one for me was Cyril Dessers who I think is a decent goal-scorer.

“I think if he gets on a roll he could quite easily be challenging the top goal-scorer up in Scotland and if you are in that battle, then you’re normally in the running for Player of the Season as well.”

Jamie Vardy is a free agent following his departure from Leicester this summer, and has been linked with a plethora of clubs, including both Celtic and Rangers.

The two historic rivals both have strong options at number nine, but it would be a surprise to see them reject the opportunity to sign the former England international.

Vardy is reportedly keen on joining Celtic, as it would give him the opportunity to reunite with former boss Brendan Rodgers.

Jamie Vardy is available on a free transfer.

(Credit: Imago)

However, that is unlikely to deter Rangers, who held preliminary talks with Vardy in July, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.

Should the 38-year-old move to Scotland, he would likely be squarely in the running alongside Dessers and Co for the Player of the Year award.

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