Chermiti has scored just goals in 33 matches in all competitions for Gers since his big money arrival last summer
Rangers Youssef Chermiti after missing a late headed chance(Image: SNS Group)
Rangers legend Kris Boyd tore into £9million man Youssef Chermiti last weekend – arguing that he and January arrival Ryan Naderi don’t have what is required to fire Danny Rohl’s team to the Premiership title.
And while his words aren’t quite as damaging, Ibrox title hero Gary McAllister insists the Portugal U21 international needs to embrace the ‘duty’ that comes with being a Gers No.9.
Despite scoring three times in two games against title rivals Celtic and Hearts in recent weeks, Chermiti has found goals hard to come by, netting just nine times in 33 appearances since his big money move from Everton last summer.
McAllister served as No.2 to Steven Gerrard when the Light Blues romped to the league championship in the 2020/21 season, going the full 38 games unbeaten.
And despite stating that Chermiti’s goals in the big games are an indication of the player’s serious potential, the ex midfield maestro reckons the 21-year-old’s ‘drop-off’ in performance levels when things are not going well are plain to see.
Speaking to Grosvenor Casino, he said: “The goals he scored against the Old Firm and against Hearts tell you he’s very capable. A lot of players have doubts about whether they can produce in the big games, but he’s shown he can do that. The thing he’s got to work on is producing that level more consistently.”
“Motivation comes from the manager and your team-mates, but when you go to unfashionable places on a Tuesday night where the stadium isn’t like Ibrox or Tynecastle or Celtic Park, a lot of that motivation has to come from yourself.”
“It’s the duty of the player to get himself up for those games. If he’s going to be Rangers’ number nine, he carries the responsibility of producing in every game.”
“His drop-off can be quite big. When he plays well, he looks really promising, but he’s still young, and that’s something he’ll learn along the way with the help of the coaching staff and the manager.
“If he’s going to be one of the players responsible for winning games, he has to show a bit of leadership.”
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