Tom English gobsmacked by Youssef Chermiti as he picks out another Rangers star vs Celtic
Youssef Chermiti put in an “absolute powerhouse” of a first-half performance for Rangers against Celtic in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
That is according to Tom English, who watched on as Rangers‘ big-match player delivered again for Danny Rohl‘s men on Sunday.
Summer signing Chermiti scored a goal of the season contender with an overhead kick in the eighth minute and then took his goals tally against Hearts and Celtic this season to eight as he pickpocketed on-loan defender Araujo, before stroking the ball home.
After a wretched first half for the visitors at Ibrox, Celtic were much improved in the second and pulled one back 11 minutes after the interval through Kieran Tierney’s header.
Celtic’s dramatic comeback was complete in the 91st minute when Reo Hatate scored at the third attempt from the penalty spot, following a double Jack Butland save, after Dujon Sterling handled in the box.
That took the shine off former Everton man Chermiti‘s heroics.
History maker Youssef Chermiti ‘runs over’ Celtic
Questions have been repeatedly asked of Chermiti following his £8million summer move from Everton, where he failed to ignite at the Toffees, joining from Sporting CP for a fee worth up to £14m in 2023.
Those questions didn’t go away after scoring just twice in 13 league games, but he then came alive in a 3-1 win at Celtic in January as Chermiti bagged a brace.
The Portugal Under-21 then continued to underwhelm against everyone bar the title contenders, firing in a hat-trick against league leaders Hearts on 15 February.
The young star then put in a great display, especially in the first half on Sunday, with two brilliant goals, as he and Mikey Moore proved too much to handle for Celtic.
As English alluded to, Tottenham loanee Moore put on a sparkling display, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
The 18-year-old danced past Celtic’s players with apparent ease, and he was involved in the build-up to both of Chermiti’s first-half goals.
It is easy to see why the Gers want to bring Moore back to Ibrox again next season.
Scotland and Rangers legends purr over Chermiti’s brilliance
At half-time, Rangers icon Chris Boyd could barely contain his amazement at what Chermiti had produced against their biggest rivals.
The former striker hailed Chermiti as the “king” of Ibrox after his remarkable double and he was not the only one to wax lyrical about the big forward.
Indeed, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon said that might have been the best Old Firm derby goal he had ever seen, saying it was Henrik Larsson-esque.
The result saw Rangers close to within six points of league leaders Hearts, while Celtic are eight points adrift but have a game in hand.
The draw meant Rangers did not secure an 11th-straight win at Ibrox, a feat they set in 2003. Chermiti also became the first Rangers player to score four league goals against Celtic in a single season since Mark Walters in 1988-89.
Remarkably, Chermiti has only scored nine goals all season. His other goal came against Kilmarnock in late October.
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