Criticism has rained down on Cyriel Dessers like a monsoon at times. Players with a less watertight mentality might have drowned amid the tide of doubters.

But what Dessers maybe lacks in ruthlessness, he certainly makes up for with effort, endeavour and a never-say-die spirit.

After missing numerous chances at Hearts on Saturday and having seen a header turned brilliantly around the post in Poland, Dessers refused to let his head drop in the knowledge that one more chance would come his way.

And when it did – Vaclav Cerny whipping in a superb cross on 94 minutes as Rangers avoided defeat at the death against Dynamo Kiev – guess who was the quickest to react and turn the ball in at the near post?

Still, the number nine spot in Philippe Clement’s team remains a topic of discussion. And it will remain that way as long as Dessers misses the target more often than he finds it.

Rangers eye strikers as Bristol City prepare Tommy Conway sale

Speculation linking Rangers with a move for Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland reared it’s head again before that Premiership opener at Tynecastle. Shankland has just one year left on his contract but the Edinburgh outfit appear to be in no rush to sell the division’s Golden Boot winner.

The same cannot be said, however, of Bristol City.

The Championship outfit too are facing up to the prospect of losing their star striker on a free transfer. But while Hearts appear happy to keep Shankland in the hope that a U-turn may be forthcoming, Bristol City are not quite that patient.