Rangers fans can be brutal on a striker. One week he’s “not good enough”, the next he’s the missing piece because he’s scoring elsewhere. The chat around Dessers being on 15 goals by now, after plenty wanted him moved on for lacking hold-up play, is a decent reminder of how quickly it flips.

The irony with strikers is the point

It’s not even about pretending every fan opinion is wrong. It’s more that a centre-forward’s value gets judged through whatever we’re struggling with at the time. If we’re not linking play, we demand a target man. If we’re not finishing chances, we demand a penalty-box predator. If we’re not controlling games, we want someone who can win fouls and relieve pressure.

That’s why the Dessers point lands. If a striker’s goals are there, folk will forgive plenty. If the goals dry up, every touch gets examined like a VAR check. Truth is, clubs can’t build squads purely on the mood in the stands. They need a clear idea of what the forward is meant to do and what the rest of the team must provide around him.

Chermiti: link-up, work-rate, and a different type of value

With Chermiti, you can see the appeal even if you’re not convinced he’ll ever be a 25-goal guy. He battles, he’ll occupy centre-halves, and he does the unglamorous parts that help others play. Hold-up, link-up, being a nuisance. All useful in the Scottish Premiership, especially when you’re facing packed boxes and physical defences most weeks.

But that doesn’t mean we ignore the obvious. Rangers are judged on numbers, and strikers are judged hardest. If he’s doing the dirty work but the end product isn’t prolific, then the rest of the side has to carry more of the scoring load.

If the No.9 isn’t fed, the whole idea falls apart

This is where the biggest point sits: service. If your number 9 gets in decent areas but the final ball doesn’t arrive, what are we really asking him to do? One proper chance created for the striker in a match just isn’t enough. Not if we’re expecting him to rack up big totals.

So maybe the answer isn’t only “get a better finisher”. Maybe it’s building a team that scores from everywhere. Goals from wide areas, midfield runners, set-pieces, second balls. Make it unpredictable. Make opponents worry about more than one threat.

I’m with the idea of applauding the good play when it’s there. But Rangers also need to create enough for the striker to be a striker, not just a hardworking decoy.

Written by Angus1812: 23 January 2026

Tags: squad