CYRIEL DESSERS is convinced justice was done as Rangers beat St Johnstone to book their place in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.
The reigning champions bounced back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Dynamo kyiv with a victory that was marred by controversy.
Dessers’ opener in the 58th minute came after referee Matthew MacDermid called a foul on the Dutchman.
Several St Johnstone players also claimed they heard a whistle blow before Dessers scored, bringing the game to an end.
But VAR intervention (later justified by the SFA on the basis that MacDermid did not blow his whistle until the ball had crossed the line) saw the referee award the goal after belatedly judging that Dessers had done nothing wrong in the tangle with Jack Sanders.
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers celebrates after his controversial goal
Rangers striker Dessers blasts the ball past St Johnstone goalkeeper Josh Rae
However, reflecting on the controversial moment that set Philippe Clement’s players on their way to a 2-0 win, the Rangers striker said he could not understand what all the fuss was about.
“I saw a through pass from Rabbi (Matondo),” he recalled.
‘I saw it in my path so I doubled my run and as I was running I felt a big foot on my ankle.
‘But instead of going down and maybe asking for a penalty or a free kick, I got past the other defender and was able to finish.
‘While I was celebrating, I saw that everyone had stopped. Then, I looked around and saw that the referee had blown something.
‘I was a little surprised because for me there wasn’t too much going on at this stage.
‘I think he cleared the goal, so my feeling was correct.
‘For me there was absolutely no foul because I didn’t try to trip him or anything.
‘My foot was on the ground and his foot was on top of mine, so I think he was on the ball and in the path of the ball before.
St Johnstone manager Craig Levein was frustrated by the goal being conceded.
Referee Matthew MacDermid appeared to blow the free-kick before Dessers scored.
“So I think it was a decent goal,” said Dessers, who had been hampered by Sanders in any case.
On the moment he feared his third goal of the season would be taken away from him, he added: “Yes. I was surprised. That’s what I told him (MacDermid) as well.
‘Please take a look at it because if there was a foul I felt that the foul was mine and then maybe it’s a penalty, I don’t know if it was close to the line or inside or outside the area.
“He said he was checking it out so I obviously let him do his job.” With the goal up his sleeve, Dessers has now scored three in five games for his club, a bright start which he believes can help him improve on the 22 he scored last season.
“Personally, I think I’m pretty satisfied with my performances so far,” he said.
‘I think I’m doing the things the manager has asked me to do in terms of working for the team, all the little things and details I won’t bother you with!
‘Obviously I’m happy to be at the end of some attacks and score some goals and provide assists.
‘Last season I scored three goals in October. We’re only in mid-August, so it’s already a good step forward. I want to continue like this and I think I can do it. I feel confident and good.
“Obviously it’s a good feeling to score again. It’s always a pleasure.”
‘But it’s also an important goal that takes us to the next round.
“Last season, in the League Cup, we have good memories. I’m glad we started in the same way.”