Eko Hot Blog reports that Rangers legend Arthur Numan has expressed his support for Cyriel Dessers, believing that he can secure his place in history by leading the Ibrox side to a Scottish Cup victory this weekend.
Philippe Clement’s team will face off against Premiership champions Celtic at Hampden Park on Saturday, marking the first Old Firm final in the Scottish Cup in 22 years.
Rangers have struggled against their city rivals this season, recording one draw and three defeats in their four encounters so far.
However, former left-back Arthur Numan, who secured four Scottish Cup victories.
During his five years in Glasgow from 1998 to 2003, believes his former team has what it takes to lift the trophy.
Rangers Legends, Arthur Numan
He has also backed Dessers, who has scored 22 goals in his debut season at Ibrox despite facing criticism at times, to be the match winner.
Speaking on Tuesday as the build up continues to the big game, the ex-Netherlands international said:
“I can imagine the Rangers squad are disappointed at not winning the league, a few weeks ago everyone was thinking that they had the chance to be champions.
“I was over for the Old Firm game at Ibrox, and the first half wasn’t great for us, I was thinking ‘what am I watching.’
“But eventually it gets back to 3-3 and you think we still have a chance to go top again.
“But then you play Ross County three days later and then Dundee after that and in just one week you give the league away.
“The league is always the most important thing, but now they need to draw a line under that and focus on this cup final.
This is still a very important game because we can still win the cup double, so this game now is the most important.
“The players need to forget about the last couple of weeks and have the confident and belief that they can win this game.
“Because for 90 minutes they should give 110% and go for it.
Numan was on the field the last time the sides met in a Scottish Cup final, when Peter Lovenkrands scored a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 victory for Rangers.
When asked who he believes could be this year’s Lovenkrands and potentially become a hero remembered in 22 years, he said:
“I think it could be Dessers. Sometimes he faces criticism, but he keeps scoring goals.
“This is the kind of match where you can become a legend.”
“Everyone remembers the goal from Lovenkrands in the last minute, with a cross from Neil McCann, because that’s what people will always remember.
“The goals, winning trophies, and they always know who scored and who was involved in the goal.
“So I hope that Dessers can be that man and score the winning goal.
“I think that could be (a big turning point for him), because he has scored a lot of goals.
“But if he scores the winner in a cup final against Celtic then people will always remember that and it will give him a lot of confidence as well for season.
“It will also give the team a belief that they can go and win the league next season.”
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