Youssef Chermiti crosses fingers as Rangers attacking failure laid bare
Youssef Chermiti doesn’t look like he’s going to score when he plays for Rangers.
Gordon Dalziel can’t believe the Portugal Under-21 international is considered a centre-forward, having scored four goals in 18 William Hill Premiership appearances for the Gers this season.
The 21-year-old started against Motherwell on 11 February at Fir Park, and fans have since heavily criticised the striker for not taking some of his chances in the 1-1 draw.
With someone like the former Everton ace up top for Danny Rohl, it’s no wonder the Glaswegian outfit have failed to find the back of the net consistently this season.
Youssef Chermiti not good enough for Rangers
If Rohl has any intention of competing for the league title against Hearts, then he needs to stop experimenting with Chermiti up front.
The German manager has tried to play the Portuguese youngster as a lone number nine and has also paired him up front with the likes of Ryan Naderi and Bojan Miovski on occasion.
Supporters in Govan have every right to blast the former Everton centre-forward for not living up to expectations after costing £8million last summer at Ibrox.
Speaking on Open Goal on 12 February, Dalziel said, “Chermiti, how he’s a centre-forward is beyond me. I’m watching him, and I’m thinking you don’t even look like you’re going to score, you’re just hoping, you’re crossing your fingers and hoping.”
It was surprising for some travelling fans to see Chermiti start at Fir Park, with Naderi and Miovski on the bench.
The German striker, who was signed for big money from Hansa Rostock in the winter transfer window, has been in fine form, and he should be the first-choice number nine in the upcoming matches.
Youssef Chermiti has made fans do the unthinkable at Ibrox
Chermiti and Miovski were Kevin Thelwell’s solution last summer to replace Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane.
It’s safe to say that the striking duo haven’t been able to replace the influence of the Nigerian star and Morocco international at Rangers.
Dessers wasn’t the most popular figure during his time in Govan, but Chermiti’s struggles have made fans in Govan miss the 31-year-old.
Supporters will undoubtedly hope Naderi is the answer to the Light Blues’ attacking failures, if not, they’ll need to reinforce their attack again in the summer.
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