Peter Bosz “really liked” Sergino Dest’s PSV debut

Sergino Dest made his first competitive club appearance in seven months on Tuesday night in Glasgow and while many players might’ve been a bit rusty under the bright lights of UEFA Champions League Qualifying, Dest looked anything but nervous.

Dest delivered a positive debut in PSV’s 2-2 first leg draw with Rangers at Ibrox Stadium, logging the first of what him and U.S. men’s national team fans will be many appearances for the Eredivisie club. The 22-year-old arrived on a season-long loan from Barcelona on Monday, giving him a new opportunity to play regularly and continue his overall development in Europe.

After registering 80 minutes in his first club appearance since January 24, Dest admitted he was prepared for the challenge and his manager Peter Bosz was pleased with his left back’s debut.

“I felt fit and powerful enough to start,” Dest said postmatch to reporters. “It was an advantage that I already know [PSV forward] Noa Lang, because it went well against him I think we can look to next week with confidence.”

Dest was on the field for all four goals in the first leg showdown, watching as PSV fought back from a 2-1 deficit to tie things up in the 80th minute. He was lively at left back, completing over 90% of his passes and five dribbles to go along with his strong defensive work on the other end of the field.

PSV will now have a bye week from Eredivisie action before welcoming Michael Beale’s squad to Eindhoven for the second leg on August 30. Dest knows a better overall performance will be needed to book their return to the UCL group stage, but believes the home-field advantage should help at the Philips Stadion.

“We must and can be better and that also applies to myself,” Dest said. “Physically I have to grow further and that opportunity is now available at PSV. For me this is not a step back at all, because I think we can go for the title with PSV.

“Tonight we could have gotten more out of the game, but next week we have to finish this,” he added. “At home, with the public behind us and then we have the advantage.”