Cyriel Dessers insists Rangers have the quality to clinch the Premiership title as he vowed to play a leading role for Philippe Clement’s side this season.

The Nigerian internationalist scored twice as Rangers rounded off their summer schedule with a 4-4 draw against Union Berlin on Saturday. Tom Lawrence also netted a brace as Clement’s side were left without a win from their four friendly fixtures this term.

A trip to face Hearts will see Rangers get their top flight bid off and running this weekend. With a Champions League qualifier and League Cup clash to come before the first Old Firm game of the campaign, the next few weeks could go some way to shaping the narrative around Rangers this term.

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Clement remains in the market for further reinforcements to add strength and depth to his squad. But Dessers believes the signs are already positive as he looks to build on a debut season that saw him score 22 goals following his arrival at Ibrox.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Dessers said when asked if this squad is capable of winning the title this season. “I know there is always a lot of talk around a big club like Rangers.

“Some people talk to me about the fishbowl that Glasgow is. That’s obviously true but we are focused on the job we need to do.

“We have a big month in August, not only in the league but also in the cup and in Europe, so we know what to do. We have been there before. For some of the new guys, it’s obviously new but we’ll take them with us. We’ll support them. We’ll be ready.

“Just when I look round the dressing room. There is a lot of quality, experience. Some guys have gone, but other guys have come in. If you look at Connor Barron and how he played here in the last few games. So he’s making good steps.

Read more: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours throughout the transfer window

“We have guys who are progressing. When you see Dio for example. He’s still a young player but he’s made big steps in the last six months. 

“If I look at myself, last season was a rocky beginning. But now I’m coming in with the confidence of making 20-plus goals in a season so I’m starting with a different feeling to last season.

“All of these things, hopefully they add up and make us a better team. Yesterday I spoke with (Vaclav) Cerny who has come in. I know him from the Netherlands and he’s a quality player. So I think if we can add up all these pieces to our puzzle, I think we have a very good team.”