When Youssef Chermiti could return for Rangers as new injury timeframe shared

Youssef Chermiti could return to the Rangers squad before their campaign concludes.

The £8.5million man notched 15 Scottish Premiership goals last season, but he will not get anywhere near that tally this time around.

The 22-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the 2-1 loss to Hibernian in August.

He was substituted off in the 36th minute, leaving Lawrence Shankland, Bojan Miovski and Ryan Naderi as options at the time.

They entered the market and signed Kevin Kelsy for further cover after the Portugal Under-21 star's absence was confirmed.

Now, a new injury update has been shared on Chermiti and it is very encouraging.

When could Youssef Chermiti return for Rangers?

Rangers claimed that the striker would be out for a significant period after he suffered the issue, but now a timeframe has been shared.

Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack revealed on Wednesday that Chermiti may be back before the end of the season.

He said: "I understand that Chermiti’s rehabilitation is going to plan.

"It will still be several months before we see him back in action, unfortunately.

"That could happen before the end of the season, most likely around the split."

If the young forward can make it back to action by then, it may be exactly what the Gers need.

Why Chermiti return could be the difference for Rangers

Speaking after the Bears rejected a hefty bid from Galatasaray in the summer, Derek McInnes said: "It’s no surprise that he’s a player who’s got a big tag on him and he’s got high potential but, thankfully, he’s our player and that will continue to be the case.”

He clearly loves what the Portuguese striker brings to the side, and he will hope to have him back for the business end of the season.

Having the former Everton man back in the squad when the split arrives could be huge in their attempts to pip Celtic to the league crown.

If he is able to get back on the pitch and make an impact, then it could decide the destination of the title, depending on the position of the contenders at that point in the campaign.

If it a close one, then it could be the difference between McInnes' side ending their drought at the top of Scottish Football or failing to do so.

The Govan outfit have not won the title since the 2020-21 season under Steven Gerrard, and with Shankland now out too, pressure is high.

The Gers have been on a great run recently and if they can maintain the pressure on the other contenders, returning players will be key as the season continues.