Michael Beale has backed Rangers' struggling striker Cyriel Dessers to improve as he insists there's a lot more to come from the Nigerian.

The former Feyenoord targetman, signed in the summer from Serie A side Cremonese, has dropped out of the starting line-up of late after a series of poor performances.

Already the subject of fan groans, the 28-year-old hasn't had the most auspicious of starts since his £4.5m move.

Despite the problems, Beale points to the aggressive pressing and perfectly pitched pass that he feels should have seen the burly forward rewarded with an assist in the Old Firm derby as an important inflection point in the season.

VAR ruled the subsequent goal by Kemar Roofe out after adjudging Dessers to have fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke and the Ibrox manager reckons perceptions might have been shaped differently had the marginal decision gone the other way.

Asked about his striker, he said: "There's a couple of things. I think Cyriel would like to do better, that's a fact. I don't think he's shown his full level yet. He has three goals and a couple of assists and I think he's been really unlucky if you think back to the Celtic game. 

"It's that clear and obvious element. We score a goal in midweek and because it's not clear and obvious it's given. Two weeks before, in a game of more importance, we have a goal chalked off and again it's this clear and obvious thing.

"If he gets that assist there and adds that to the one against PSV, I think people see him as not just a goalscorer. His pass for Rabbi Matondo was fantastic as was his awareness in that moment against Celtic to set up Kemar Roofe. Another example is even earlier in that game when he's crossed for Rabbi [the goal was chalked off for offside].

"So, I think in moments he's shown what he can do but of course, he's looking for consistency. He's been out of the team recently and it's a big opportunity for him if he plays to come in and stake a claim."