The Rangers question Cyriel Dessers is yet to answer as 'real deal' verdict from SPFL rival sparks studio debate

Cyriel Dessers has been labelled the real deal by an SPFL rival - but Kenny Miller has told him the way to get ALL the Rangers fans on side with questions still being asked despite hitting 20 goals.

The Ibrox hitman bagged the crucial winning goal at St Mirren by heading into an empty net to reach his season landmark and in the process land the Light Blues a big three points on the road in the race for the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic. Brendan Rodgers' men recorded a 2-1 away win of their own at Dundee to stay three points and five goals clear at the summit with just four league outings remaining - including a huge derby showdown at Parkhead.

Dessers arrived at the club last summer as part of ex-boss Michael Beale's big rebuild. Steven Gerrard's former No2 didn't last long after a poor start to the campaign with Philippe Clement taking over the top job. Injuries to Danilo and continued fitness struggles for Kemar Roofe for most of the campaign has meant the Nigeria international has constantly been called upon. Dundee United star Tony Watt is a fan of the hitman and reckons he has had a fine debut campaign in Glasgow.

Former Ibrox hitman Miller is in agreement with Watt over his goal return but reckons there is much more to come. He is often criticised for the amount of chances he squanders despite his healthy tally in front of goal with fans still questioning the No9. Pundit Miller believes he is yet to prove it but has told him how he can go about just doing that and turning the supporters all on side.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, Watt said: "I think it has been a hard season for him in terms of getting going. I think him and Danilo had been in and out and couldn't get going but since Clement has come in he has been brilliant. I heard a lot of them say on commentary. I don't know if it was Kenny (Miller) or Kris Boyd that he misses too many chances and I never noticed it before. He does miss a lot of chances, but for me if a striker gets all the chances that is a tell-tale sign that he is doing the right thing.

"He has put them away in the last couple of the games and the big games. I think he has had a really good season if you take away the first part. He's hitting his stride now and scoring a lot of goals. That is a massive goal. It was a stuffy kind of game. St Mirren are hard to break down and beat. (James) Tavernier puts it on his head to be fair and couldn't miss it but he looks the real deal for me and if he can replicate that next season he will be doing well for them."

Miller added: "He has absolutely made the difference. Two goals last week to send your team to the final and then coming up with a really important goal after Rangers haven't been really great in the league. Hadn't won a league game in three and only one win in five and they needed to win that game today and he's popped up with the big goal for his 20th of the season.

"The thing about him is - I would have been delighted to hit 20 goals this season but I would be expected to be contributing a lot more to the play and general build up. If I am getting 20 my big partner is getting 30 - I do think some of the criticism has been harsh on him.

"I think there is a lot more to come. I would expect a lot of his game to be better, not just looking at his goals. To get 20 goals in your first season at Rangers where you don't really know what the club is about, what scrutiny you are going to be under or the demands put on you. He's got 20 goals. The reason I think it has been harsh as I think it has been directed a lot at him because of the missed chances or some of the untidy link up play. He works ever so hard for his team. He's had to be the guy who has been out there every single week.

"Danilo has been injured most of the season, Kemar Roofe has been injured for a long time this season. Fabio Silva has come in but let's be honest, he is not a number 9. He wouldn't have got the goals that Cyriel Dessers has got if he had been playing every single week.

"Dessers has had to continually had to put himself out there to be shot at take all the criticism and deal with performing, scoring goals and scoring big goals. He has scored some big goals. I think he will finish with 22 or 23 goals come the end of the season.

"All I would say is if he can replicate those numbers - that is if he is still in the building by the way - and could improve the other side of his game. I really think he could turn the Rangers fans. At this moment in time, you are asking 'does he still have it to prove or has he proven it?' I still don't think he has. There is things he could be a lot better at, but his goal return has been really good. There is no getting away from that."