Nedim Bajrami in Cyriel Dessers Rangers transfer plea after Man Utd wonder goal as kids backed to step up and play
Nedim Bajrami insists Rangers’ kids are ready to step up and play at Tannadice - but urged old head Cyriel Dessers to stay at Ibrox after his Old Trafford wonder goal.
The Albanian forward will be a key man for Philippe Clement’s side when they return to Scottish Premiership action against Dundee United. But with Gers’ squad decimated by injury, Bajrami has backed the club’s youngsters to grab their opportunity. At the same time, he wants 30-year-old striker Dessers to hang around after his goal in the 2-1 Europa League defeat to Manchester United, with speculation rife over his future.
Clement will need the Nigerian on Tayside, as well as talented youth players like Bailey Rice, Ross McCausland and Findlay Curtis - who all got on the pitch at Old Trafford. Bajrami says the likes of him and the experienced Dessers can help the Ibrox kids - if the big front-man isn’t sold in the transfer window.
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He’s been linked with a move away from Ibrox but Bajrami said: “Yeah, I think the last month has not been easy for Cyriel. But he’s still been trying to help the team out there on the pitch.
“He deserved his goal against Manchester United and everyone was so happy for him. Do I hope he stays here? Yeah, I want everyone to stay. But at the end of the day, Cyriel has to choose.”
Clement’s treatment room is filling up after Connor Barron, Leon Balogun and Vaclav Cerny all came off injuries at Old Trafford. John Souttar and Danilo are already out with injuries.
But Rice in particular came on to impress - and the 18-year-old could be handed a start against Dundee United. Bajrami believes the Gers youngsters are ready. He said: “A lot of our key players weren’t available for the Manchester United game but the young boys did well.
“I’m proud of them, so we’ll keep helping them game by game - that’s key now. I’m confident these young players are good enough to step up on Sunday.
“Everyone will have to be ready, the young players and the older players. But we have to help them because the season is still long. I’m proud that they played in front of 80,000 people on Thursday and put in such a good performance.”
Rangers’ away record in the league has been woeful, winning just three out of their 11 fixtures on the road. Bajrami accepts that it’s not good enough and says the improvement must begin on Tayside.
He said: “It’s back to the league now so it’s full focus on Dundee United - everyone has to be ready. We know our away form can be better but we’re looking forward to doing our best on Sunday. We just need everyone to stay fit and healthy.”
