Youssef Chermiti is the big name with the big price tag. He is also the big player in the big games. If he continues to live up to that status, he will repay the fee and the faith in the best way possible.
Few players within the Rangers squad have been spoken about as much as Chermti over the course of the campaign. On Wednesday night, the complaints and the criticisms were familiar ones as Rangers were held by Motherwell. On Sunday, Ibrox serenaded the striker after Danny Rohl’s side beat Hearts.
Read more:
- Rohl's big call pays off as Chermiti delivers and Rangers respond to adversity
- Inside story: Why Rangers chose Chermiti, Calvert-Lewin comparison, No.9 decision
A hat-trick against the Jambos were Chermiti’s first goals since his brace in the Old Firm win at Parkhead. His tally for the term stands at seven but those five clearly stand out in terms of importance, for both him and for Rangers.
The Portuguese has been through so many lows over recent months. He will appreciate the highs but not get carried away by them. He knows the job is far from done.
"It was a really good game from everyone,” Chermiti said of the 4-2 victory that moved Rangers within two points of Derek McInnes’ side. "A big three points and now we are looking for the win for the next game.
"Yeah, of course [I want to repay the faith from the manager]. Everyone in this club gave me a lot of confidence. I enjoyed that on Sunday but today is a new day, and we are looking for the game against Livingston.
"Of course [the big games get the best out of me], but I think everyone needs to be humble, everyone needs to stay humble. Every game is important for us. Of course, these games we can be more focused, so we're looking for the more serious, but every game is important for us.”
The impact and influence of Chermiti was naturally one of the main talking points for Rohl to address post-match. The efforts of the forward were praised but the focus was on the collective rather than the individuals.
Rohl spoke about the character of his team as they twice came from behind and then went on to win. It was a statement of intent from Rangers. When it was needed most, Chermiti picked his moment to produce his best performance of his Ibrox career.
"Yeah, since I joined the club, I think we've been building a good mentality,” Chermiti said of the ever-enhancing mindset within the group. “Good relationship with each other. So, yeah.
🔥 Youssef Chermiti bags an Ibrox hat-trick to seal all three points for Rangers ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/0kAuKFTC2h
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 15, 2026
"Yeah, as I said, it's really important for us [to have that relationship with the fans]. It's really important for me, but as I said before, it was me scoring three goals, but another player can be the same. The most important thing is the three points.
"I think that's part of football and life, you have up and downs. On Sunday I scored a hat-trick, today I can miss a goal. That's football."
Had events at Fir Park in midweek turned out differently, Rangers could have been celebrating going top of the table with their win over Hearts. As it stands, they remain the hunters rather than the hunted after another dramatic week of twists and turns in the title race.
A trip to Livingston on Sunday is next on the agenda before a Premiership and Scottish Cup double-header with Celtic that speaks for itself in terms of importance. The momentum is with Rohl’s side. The form and the feelgood factor must be continued in the coming weeks.
"Yeah, we're in the race,” Chermiti said. “I think everyone likes a league like this tight. This is where you see the good players, the pressure is on, we are looking for the title, 100 per cent.
"That's giving me a lot of confidence. As I said, as soon as the team are confident, I feel confident. The most important thing is the team and that's the important thing for us, the confidence of the team, the mentality we are building so yeah.
"That would be everything for me [to win the title]. Since I joined to the club, I knew how big Rangers was and of course it is a pleasure to play for this club and I'm just enjoying it."
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