Rangers may have secured an important 1–0 win over St Mirren, but questions are already being raised about whether they have the firepower needed to win the Scottish Premiership title.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes the Ibrox side could fall short in the title race due to a lack of quality in the forward line — despite the team keeping pace with leaders Hearts.
Danny Röhl’s side edged past the Buddies in Paisley thanks to Tuur Rommens’ first-half goal, a result that keeps Rangers within three points of the top in what is shaping up to be a thrilling title battle.
However, the match also highlighted some of the attacking issues that continue to concern pundits.
One of the biggest talking points was a missed opportunity from Youssef Chermiti. The striker, who was named player of the month for February, has been in strong form recently — scoring eight of his nine goals this season against fellow title challengers Hearts and Celtic.
That run even included a spectacular bicycle kick in the Old Firm earlier this month.
Yet against St Mirren, Chermiti missed a golden opportunity from inside the six-yard box — a chance that could have wrapped up the match far earlier for Rangers.
Ryan Naderi, another striker under scrutiny, has also struggled to make a consistent impact.
The January signing from Hansa Rostock scored twice in Rangers’ Scottish Cup win over Championship side Queen’s Park last month, but he has failed to score in his other seven appearances since joining the club.
With Rangers often deploying two strikers in recent matches, the partnership between Chermiti and Naderi has been closely analysed — and not everyone is convinced it is working.
Speaking on Sky Sports, both Kris Boyd and James McFadden questioned whether Röhl’s tactical approach is actually helping Rangers’ attack.
Boyd was particularly critical of what he sees as a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
“I’m not sure this does work,” said Boyd. “There is a real lack of quality from Rangers in the forward areas. There is no connection up there right now. Both of them play as lone strikers.
“They don’t have a striker or strikers in there demanding the ball is crossed from the wide areas and that feeds in to wingers being reluctant to put it in as there is no-one in there.
“Naderi and Chermiti might run around – anyone can do that. I look at them and I don’t see them bringing much else to the table.”
Boyd also believes Rangers may struggle to maintain a serious title challenge unless someone in the squad begins delivering goals consistently.
He added: “You have got to have that little bit of quality and I don’t see it. I don’t see enough quality at that top end of the pitch that is going to drag Rangers to winning a title.
“There’s no better feeling in the world than scoring goals on a regular basis and if you can do it to lead your team to a title… that is what’s at stake for Rangers right now.
“I don’t see anyone saying they are going to be the man to get that second or third goal to kill teams off. We have seen it in previous seasons; goal difference could play a huge part here.”
For now, Rangers remain firmly in the title race thanks to their narrow win in Paisley.
But if Boyd’s concerns prove accurate, the lack of a ruthless goalscorer could become a decisive factor as the Premiership season heads into its final stretch.