Kevin Thelwell ‘puts reputation on line’ at Rangers after multi-million gamble at Ibrox
Rangers fans now have a benchmark to assess Kevin Thelwell at Ibrox following transfer deadline day.
With 13 new players arriving at the Gers this summer, the rebuild under Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises has been evident.
Youssef Chermiti and Derek Cornelius moved to Ibrox on 1 September, marking the end of incomings at the Light Blues.
The Glaswegian outfit also saw Cyriel Dessers signing for Panathinaikos, marking the end of Thelwell’s first transfer window in G51, and now he will undoubtedly be judged by the supporters on the basis of how the new additions perform.
Kevin Thelwell takes Rangers transfer gamble with Youssef Chermiti
Chermiti’s big-money move on deadline day will be seen as a significant financial risk by the Gers’ supporters, Michael Ball says.
The former England defender, who played for the Light Blues between 2001 and 2005, believes the ex-Everton sporting director has taken a gamble by spending £10million, including add-ons, to sign the Portugal Under-21 international at Ibrox.
With the 21-year-old struggling to live up to expectations at Goodison Park, Ball feels Thelwell may have a point to prove with the centre-forward’s arrival at the Glaswegin outfit.
- Thelwell signed Chermiti at Everton for £11.5m in 2023 from Sporting CP.
- The striker didn’t score a single goal for the Toffees.
- Last season, the centre-forward made four Premier League appearances.
Speaking to Record Sport on 3 September, the Englishman said: “I think Kevin feels that he’s got a point to prove that he was right with Chermiti. He feels that this is the type of player that the club needs — but yeah, he’s put his reputation on the line with this one.
“From a fan’s point of view, it’s a big financial risk to spend so much money on one player.”
Read More: Clinton Nsiala transfer still on cards ahead of 8 September deadline
Youssef Chermiti injury record at Everton not great reading for Ibrox faithful
Chermiti’s move to Ibrox is rightly being scrutinised, with the striker hardly featuring for Everton over the last two seasons.
Fitness issues hampered the Portuguese youngster’s time in Merseyside as he missed 24 matches in the previous campaign.
First, a foot injury saw the centre-forward remain on the sideline between August and November 2024, and then a hamstring issue kept him in the treatment room in January and February 2025.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 2023/24 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 253 |
| 2024/25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
With Rangers making a hefty profit on Hamza Igamane’s sale to LOSC Lille, it feels like they have taken a massive gamble by spending a significant amount on Chermiti.
The Portugal under-21 international will now be expected to make an immediate impact at the Gers, and the pressure in Ibrox could certainly get to him.
Unless the young forward becomes a reliable talisman, Thelwell may soon have questions to answer regarding his recruitment strategy in G51.
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