Dessers sends message to incoming Rangers boss after goal milestone

Read more:

• Dessers at the double as Ferguson bows out at Ibrox with Rangers victory

• Barry Ferguson on emotion of Ibrox send-off, says 'it's not over yet' on Rangers job

How special is it to get to 50 goals?

It’s a very special feeling to score 50 goals in two seasons. It makes me very proud to achieve this milestone for a big club like Rangers in the first place. But to do it at Ibrox in a game you win, it was obviously a very nice feeling.

Why was the decision made for you to take the penalty?

We spoke briefly about it and obviously to hit the 50 with a penalty was going to be a good feeling. So I have to thank Tav because normally he’s the number one taker and he does it very well. Will I tell him it’s now my job? I don’t think it will be as easy as that!

Does that say a lot about Tav?

I think it says a lot about Tav as a captain that he made that gesture. Because we all know that Tav also loves his goals. He loves his set-pieces, penalties, free-kicks and corner kicks. He takes them amazingly well. So to give that one to me speaks for him as a person and as a captain. I was really thankful to him for that.

You spoke the criticism you have had and Tav has had that for much longer...

The way Tav stays calm and focused, doing his thing here, is admirable. It’s something all players can learn from. Rangers is a beautiful club, but not an easy club to play for. So to be here for 10 years and play 500 games, that definitely means something.

What has he done for you as a captain?

In my two years here, I think his biggest attribute in the dressing room is his calmness. He’s never panicking or stressing and I think he’s tried to pass that on to me as well. That’s another thing I have to thank him for.

How tough have your two years been?

The start was very difficult, not just for me but everyone within the club. If I look at how the team was playing at that time, it was difficult, even for the staff as well. It’s normal as a new striker that you struggle. But after that, from the moment Philippe came in, I started scoring. If you look at how many I’ve scored in that period, I think it says something about the quality to create chances for myself and pick out good positions. It sounds like a cliché but I can’t do it without my teammates who have to deliver to me - like Jefte on Wednesday night who was amazing. Tav has also given me several great crosses in these two years. It’s nice to be the end point of an attack and score - but that’s the job of a Rangers number nine. I’m very proud and 50 is a nice number. But if you’re a number nine at Rangers, you have to score a lot of goals.

How motivated are you to be the spearhead of this team next season?

My ambitions are clear. This season has been very bumpy. Next season, I want to be better myself and do better as a team. I want to win trophies. If they need me, I’ll be there. That’s all I can say.

What makes Rangers unique?

I played at Feyenoord in the Netherlands and Genk in Belgium. They’re clubs who are supposed to win as well. They need to battle for the league title. There, if you draw or lose a game the people obviously aren’t happy. But they can accept it in a way and move on to next week. If you drop points here, in this city, then it’s a huge thing. That’s very difficult to deal with as a player. But it’s also one of the most beautiful things about this club. The pressure to win every game, not even draw. You have to win and if you don’t you will feel it. That’s difficult but also beautiful.

Is it frustrating to score 50 goals but not have trophies to show for it?

It’s very painful not to have the trophies to show for it. To score 50 goals, you’d hope to have something in your hands as well. This will only give me more fuel for the summer to work hard and go again and never give up. You have to say, we’ve never given up. But we know we need to do better and hopefully we can do that.