Nigerian defender Leon Balogun has hailed his compatriot Cyriel Dessers for scoring a crucial goal for Glasgow Rangers.

Dessers netted the only goal in Rangers' 1-0 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

The 29-year-old scored early in the 6th minute as Rangers secured an important win to stay in third place in the league standings.

It was the former Cremonese striker's third goal in his last three games for the club.

Dessers scored the all-important goal in Rangers' 1-0 victory over Motherwell the previous weekend and followed it up with another goal against Olympiacos in the Europa League last Thursday.

Speaking in a post-match reaction, Balogun highlighted Dessers' importance to the team.

“We need Cyriel up there,” he told Rangers TV.

“I wish sometimes that he would reward himself more. Everyone would benefit from that. He is really trying and I am pleased for him to score three goals on the bounce. It is good for his confidence and hopefully he picks up even more.”