Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip” | OneFootball

Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip” | OneFootball

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·16 January 2025

Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip”

Article image:Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip”

In a recent interview with Voetbal International, Rangers’ striker Cyriel Dessers reminisced on his time in Rotterdam. Although the forward, now linked to Leganes as Sebastien Haller’s replacement, only spent one season at Feyenoord – he was full of praise for his old club.

Dessers on Derby Day differences

Article image:Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip”

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 03: Kemar Roofe of Rangers celebrates with Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers after scoring, only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)


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The first port of call in the interview, saw Dessers address derby day. Just two weeks ago, Dessers experienced his eighth Old Firm with Rangers, as they beat arch-rival Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox. Although he only appeared briefly from the bench, he continues to enjoy it and drew comparisons between the rivalries in Scotland and the Netherlands.

“I was just talking about it with Vaclav Cerny. He played De Klassieker for Ajax, I played for Feyenoord. That is also one of the bigger matches you can play. But the Old Firm, I think is in the top three worldwide. In terms of history, intensity, impact.

“Unfortunately, I played with Feyenoord at home against Ajax during the corona period, in an empty Kuip. I have experienced some great European evenings there later, where the stadium exploded. But the noise at Ibrox against Celtic… I have never experienced anything like that before. Bizarre.”

With their many flashpoints and intertwined narratives, these big games arrive for Dessers as huge points in his career. However, while he has always taken the time to savour them, it hasn’t all been plain sailing in Scotland.

Dessers on criticism: “I won’t say that I left a year later as a hero, but I was very loved”

Article image:Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip”

TIRANA, ALBANIA – MAY 25: Cyriel Dessers of Feyenoord looks dejected following their sides defeat in the UEFA Conference League final match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at Arena Kombetare on May 25, 2022 in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The next topic of the conversation was a somewhat trickier one, as the Belgian-born Nigeria international spoke about form and overcoming critics, especially in the Eredivisie. With what he feels is a consistent work-rate, Dessers knows where he stands with fans at the Rotterdam club.

“When I arrived there, there were a lot of question marks. I won’t say that I left a year later as a hero, but I was very loved. I gave a lot of love to the Feyenoord fans and received an incredible amount of love in return. I will remember that feeling for the rest of my life.”

Despite his sole season in South Rotterdam, Dessers’ thoughts regularly go back to Feyenoord, and especially, the defeat in the inaugural UEFA Conference League final against Roma.

“I still think back to that evening in Tirana very often. At first with a bitter feeling, but that has made way for pride. One of the first matches I can remember is the UEFA Cup final of Feyenoord against Borussia Dortmund. When I then think that we were the next Feyenoord team to play a European final, that is very special.”

Although the team managed by Arne Slot at this point came so close to glory, Dessers radiates an undeniable pride as a former Feyenoorder. Speaking with particular enthusiasm, the forward notes another key game in that continental campaign as one of his favourites.

“Olympique Marseille at home was the highlight for me that season. Nobody gave us much of a chance. But I remember looking at each other after the meeting and all radiating so much confidence. That night, De Kuip was really shaking. There was a hardstyle DJ playing, everyone was going crazy during the warm-up, the adrenaline was flowing through the stadium. We went into half-time at 2-2, but everyone had the feeling: ‘it’s going to be okay today’. We won 3-2, I scored two.”

His passion for the club is hard to ignore. However, for the former NAC Breda, FC Utrecht, and Heracles Almelo man, a longer stay in the Netherlands’ second-largest city was never on the cards.

“I was loaned in to Feyenoord. The club was in a different financial situation than it is now. They could’ve taken me from Genk for a fixed price, but had to decide before the end of May. The amount, for a 27-year-old player, was too high for the club at that time. Later in the transfer period, Feyenoord had sold players for a lot of money and more was possible, but at that time I was already looking at other options. I also had the feeling that it might be good for me to step out of the bubble of the Netherlands and Belgium. To breathe some fresh air.”

Striker “at peace” with career decisions

Article image:Dessers grateful for Feyenoord stint: “Can’t wait to return to De Kuip”

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – MAY 05: Cyriel Dessers of Feyenoord celebrates their sides victory in the UEFA Conference League Semi Final Leg Two match between Olympique Marseille and Feyenoord at Stade Velodrome on May 05, 2022 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)

And thus, Dessers went to Cremonese in Serie A, before moving to Rangers in the summer of 2023. When asked whether leaving the Dutch port city was a choice he regrets, especially when Feyenoord won the league after his departure, the 30-year-old continued his thoughtful outlook.

“In retrospect, you can ask the question: Should I have stayed at Feyenoord, played under Arne for another year, become champions… But when you make a choice, you are convinced that you are doing what is best. You have to be at peace with that. I am incredibly grateful for my time at Feyenoord and can’t wait to return to De Kuip, as soon as I finally have time with our playing schedule. It was a fantastic year, with a super fun group.”

Will he ever return to the Netherlands as a player?

“(That’s) difficult. Feyenoord now have three excellent strikers. The other clubs I played for also have a special place in my heart. But I do have a certain price and there are only a few clubs that can pay that.

“In any case, I want to play in a serious competition, for the prizes. The fire is still burning.”

(Interview sourced via 1908.nl and Voetbal International)

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