I want a real Rangers chat about Cyriel Dessers because I have a gut feeling how Hampden D-day will go – Barry Ferguson

It's time to have a chat about Cyriel Dessers.

Let’s be honest, if any other striker in Europe had scored that goal against Real Betis on Thursday night the whole world would be raving about it. But, because it was Dessers, there’s a lingering suspicion that it almost happened by accident. Well I for one I’m thrilled for the big man because I’ve really felt for him over these last six months as he’s struggled to adjust to the responsibility of life as the Rangers No.9.

And I’m hoping this is the moment that kickstarts his Ibrox career. Dessers is far from the first player to have been caught by surprise by the pressures involved in wearing that shirt. I know because I have seen it with my own eyes. You might think you know all about Rangers before you sign for the club but it’s only when you walk through those front doors for the first time that it really begins to hit home. I’ve seen top class players run out onto that pitch and absolutely crumble under the weight of expectation. They hear 50,000 fans growling at them for one misplaced pass and they have a look on their face that says, ‘What the f*** is all this about?’

I lost count of the amount of times we’d be booed off the park at half time because it was only 0-0 at the break - and then some of the new boys in the dressing room would be wondering what all the fuss was about. I’d just laugh and say to them, ‘Listen guys, this is Rangers. You better get used to it!’

I genuinely believe the demands placed on players in this part of the world are almost unique. Yes, they may have played for some huge clubs in their own countries and in bigger and better leagues but it still comes as a shock to the system when they experience it for the first time.

And I suspect