IT was a dream come true that turned out to be a nightmare.
But Cyriel Dessers reckons the harsh lessons learned in Serie A’s school of hard knocks has been the perfect preparation as he looks to make the grade at Rangers.
The Ibrox new boy has joined Michael Beale’s side after a £ 4 .5mi l l ion switch from Cremonese.
The former Utrecht, Genk and Feyenoord hitman’s move to Italy was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition as he finally fought his way through to one of Europe’s top leagues.
But life in Lombardy didn’t pan out as he’d envisioned, with the 28-year-old’s side locked in a forlorn fight against relegation.
Cremonese’s loss has proved to be Rangers’ gain though with Beale swooping to snatch the Nigeria international on a cut-price deal as the Italians failed to claw back the full £6m they had splashed out for his signature only 12 months earlier.
And Dessers reckons he’s also picked up plenty from his time taking on some of the modern game’s most talented stoppers, which he hopes will now give him the edge on Scotland’s defenders.
He said: “Of course it made me a better player. I’d been dreaming about playing in a top-five league since I was a kid. To finally be there, witness it and be part of it was amazing.
“I learned a lot. When you play against some of the best defenders in the world, you learn how to use your body, to play smarter and faster.
“I have played against Merih Demiral of Atalanta, Alessandro Bastoni at Inter and, of course, Kim Min-jae from Napoli – all great defenders.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 12, 2023 من Daily Record.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 12, 2023 من Daily Record.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
CLOSE LOOK
Boss Bren will have old target Ademola in his sights yet again
NO PLACE LIKE ROME BALLE
Captain Callum channels spirit of 2019 as he plots another Euro glory night for Bhoys on Italian soil
We kept foot on Gas.. Celts should do the same
La Dea gaffer knows what it's like to suffer Champs League beatings but urges Rodgers to never change side's style
Butt of luck
Gunners edge to win after Martinelli strike goes in off keeper's backside
IT COULD BE CUE!
Snooker's new Golden Ball will now be worth $1million
GET ON TOUR BUS BOYS
Rory urges Warriors stars to aim for British Lions spot
I had to choose who to save.. it's unbearable still
Field worker recalls horror of 1984 famine in Ethiopia
My pal Walter made special me feel
McCoist hails impact of mentor Smith
Toony rallying call to wear poppies and change lives
SCOTLAND rugby coach Gregor Townsend has urged people to show they care by wearing a poppy.
PUTIN PORT ATTACKS DELAYING VITAL AID
PM: Russia risks starving millions by hitting ships