Dessers, Balogun propels Glasgow Rangers to first title of the season

• Glasgow Rangers are the new Scottish League Cup champions, claiming the trophy for a record-extending 28th time.
• Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun were in action as Rangers defeated Aberdeen [1-0 ] at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon.

Dessers featured for 82 minutes before he was replaced by Kemar Roofe, by which time Rangers already had their breakthrough.

Borna Barišić's floated cross in the 76th minute missed Dessers' head by whiskers, but captain James Tavernier was on hand to control the ball and send a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Kelle Roos for Rangers' winner.

Balogun was, however, an unshakeable rock in defence for Rangers, helping the Light Blues keep a clean sheet as they clinched their first trophy of the season.

While it is Balogun's third title win in Rangers' colours, it is Dessers' first trophy triumph since joining the Gers from Cremonese in the summer.

Balogun won the Premiership in 2021 and the Scottish Cup the following year for Rangers. Dessers' only other title win in his career was lifting the Belgian Cup with KRC Genk two years ago.

After a rough start to the campaign, Rangers have found themselves back in contention for honours on four fronts.

Having claimed the Scottish League Cup, the Gers will aim for more success in the FA Cup, the Premiership, and the Europa League.

Phillip Clement's men qualified for the next round of the Europa League as group leaders after beating Real Betis 2-3 in Spain on Thursday.