NafisaRangers’ difficult afternoon against Hibernian took another worrying turn when Youssef Chermiti was stretchered off at Ibrox, just hours after the club rejected a major offer from Galatasaray for the Portuguese striker.
The 22-year-old had started the match as one of Derek McInnes’ main attacking threats, but his afternoon ended abruptly after he suffered what appeared to be a knee injury during a collision in the first half.
Chermiti immediately indicated that something was wrong and required treatment before eventually being taken from the pitch. Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Hibernian, with Josh Campbell converting an early penalty before Callum Wright struck a stoppage-time winner.
The result was already a damaging one for McInnes, who is still waiting for his first Scottish Premiership victory as Rangers manager. Chermiti’s injury added another layer of concern to an afternoon that had already gone badly wrong.
The situation is particularly significant because Rangers had rejected a sizeable Galatasaray bid for the striker earlier in the day.
According to reports, the Turkish giants had made an offer of around £21.5million for Chermiti, which would have represented a club-record sale for Rangers. The Ibrox hierarchy, however, turned down the proposal, with reports suggesting they value the Portugal Under-21 international considerably higher.
That decision was subsequently backed by McInnes, who made it clear that Rangers have plans for Chermiti to remain part of his squad.
Now, however, the immediate concern is no longer his transfer situation but the extent of the injury.
Derek McInnes provides Youssef Chermiti injury update
McInnes was understandably reluctant to speculate about the severity of the problem immediately after the match.
The Rangers boss explained that Chermiti appeared to suffer the injury when he planted his foot following the challenge rather than simply hurting himself after making contact with the advertising boards.
“It was an impact. He described to me as he planted his foot and then he felt the impact from the challenge,” McInnes said.
“So, I know maybe it looks as though he hit the board, but I don’t think he injured it hitting the board, to be honest with you.”
Chermiti subsequently left Ibrox wearing a protective boot and knee brace, with Rangers planning further assessment to establish the full extent of the problem.
McInnes confirmed that the striker would undergo a scan, with the Rangers manager urging people not to jump to conclusions before the medical results are known.
“We’ll get him scanned tomorrow. So, we don’t want people to speculate. But hopefully, we’ll get some luck on the scan tomorrow and he can be back in a Rangers shirt before too long.”
That is the outcome everyone around Ibrox will be hoping for.
The initial appearance of the injury naturally caused concern, particularly because knee problems can sometimes require lengthy periods on the sidelines. But there has been no confirmed diagnosis yet, meaning it would be premature to suggest that Chermiti has suffered a serious ligament or meniscus injury.
The scan should provide Rangers with a much clearer picture.
Injury could have major impact on Chermiti’s transfer situation
There is also an obvious transfer angle to the injury.
Galatasaray had already shown just how strongly they want Chermiti by submitting a substantial proposal for the striker, while Rangers made their own position clear by rejecting it.
The Turkish club could potentially return with an improved offer, but everything now depends on the medical assessment.
If Chermiti is ruled out for a significant period, it would naturally make an immediate transfer considerably more difficult.
For Rangers, that could ultimately mean the striker remains at Ibrox regardless of what happens with Galatasaray.
McInnes certainly appeared keen to keep him.
“There was a big number bid that was rejected,” the Rangers manager said, while making clear that he was happy with the club’s decision.
“We have got plans for Youssef to be with us this season and be part of something.”
Those comments take on even greater importance now.
Chermiti had already become an important part of Rangers’ attacking plans, and his absence was immediately noticeable after he left the pitch against Hibernian.
McInnes later admitted that Rangers missed what the striker offered.
“Disappointed for the big fella that he has to come off on a stretcher. I thought he was looking bright and running gaps. I thought he played with a bit of purpose. And there’s no doubt we missed that,” he said.
That is arguably the biggest concern for Rangers.
The club are already trying to improve their attacking options, with new arrivals being targeted before the transfer window closes. Losing Chermiti for any extended period would leave McInnes with another problem to solve.
The Portuguese forward has also attracted attention because of his development since arriving at Ibrox, making the size of Galatasaray’s offer unsurprising.
A move worth more than £20million would have been a huge piece of business for Rangers, but the club clearly believe Chermiti’s value could rise further and that his contribution on the pitch is more important than accepting the first major offer that arrives.
Rangers now waiting anxiously for scan results:
For now, the transfer speculation can wait.
Rangers’ priority is finding out exactly what has happened to their striker.
The timing could hardly be worse. McInnes is attempting to build a new Rangers side, the team have endured a difficult start to the domestic campaign and the manager is still trying to find the right balance in attack.
Chermiti was one of the players expected to play a major role in that process.
His injury has therefore created uncertainty on two fronts.
Rangers must first discover whether he will be available for the coming fixtures. Then, depending on the medical verdict, the club may have to decide what his injury means for any renewed interest from Galatasaray.
The most encouraging thing for Rangers supporters is that there is currently no confirmed indication of a long-term injury.
The scan will determine the next step.
Until then, McInnes and everyone connected with Rangers will simply be hoping the damage is not serious and that the striker who left Ibrox on a stretcher can return to the pitch sooner rather than later.
For a club that rejected a huge offer for Chermiti only hours before his injury, the timing could hardly have been more dramatic.
Nafisa
