Rangers title hopes played up by Celtic hero as 'X-factor' new signings targeted
Portuguese hitman says confidence boosted by big Old Firm win
Rangers’ Old Firm derby hero Youssef Chermiti says the 3-1 win over Celtic is evidence that they can win the Premiership title.
The club’s rise under head coach Danny Rohl, who took over at Ibrox in October with the team languishing in the bottom half of the table, was given a huge boost with a first ‘statement’ victory of the season at Parkhead. Chermiti netted twice in the second half and Mikey Moore put the result to bed to complete a comeback from Yang Hyun-jun’s opener for Celtic.
Rangers are now level on 38 points with Celtic and are set to be six behind leaders Hearts by close of play on Saturday. The Jam Tarts are the only side to defeat Rohl’s Rangers in the league and he has elevated them to title challengers.
Chermiti was emphatic when asked if the league crown was a possibility for Rangers. “Yes,” he said. "The quality of the team, I think. The quality of the team, and what we can do. So if we keep going like this, we're going to feel confident in the title, of course.”
Chermiti has been much maligned since his £8.5 million arrival from Everton last summer. He had only netted two goals prior to the visit to Celtic Park but led the line well and doubled his tally with two crucial efforts.
“Since I played football, I'm always hungry, I always want to get more goals. My target is always to go forward, to always look forward. But this is what I work for, this is what I dream for. Playing for Rangers is a pressure, but playing for a big club, I love that.
“I don't really take that criticism personally. I think that's normal for a big club. The fans always want the best for the club, so that's normal. I think now I'm getting more confident, I'm getting more involved in the team. Everyone is helping me on the club, my team-mates.
“I’ve not been out playing much for two years, so now I'm getting fit and I think I can give more like today.”
Rohl keen on quality arrivals
Rohl hailed his players for showing the mental strength to win at Celtic Park and expressed hope that Rangers can find “X-factor” recruits to bolster them for the second half of the campaign.
“If my players start to play like this in the 45 minutes in the second half, then that gives them also the relief,” Rohl said of his squad. “We know on some positions we can, of course, make some adjustments, bring some extra players on, but I think today it was not about the centre-forward, and this is also nice because now we have the views of the guy who scored, but support consistently, and for the next weeks we have to do our homework, on the pitch, off the pitch.
“I have a good feeling, we have a strong board around me, they help me, we are looking for the X-factor players, the impact players in different positions, and if we find some, yeah, of course we will be active.
“But first, big respect to my group. I think two months ago nobody thought that we could win here after 1-0 down, and today we showed we can. Look back to my first game in Bergen, how it was there, I think it was a difficult moment, now we have two and a half months later, a completely different moment.
“Our fans, our supporters celebrate single players, they support us as a group, but I know as well we are a demanding club, and it's not about enjoying it too long, it's about the next, and I'm hungry for more, my group is hungry for more, and let's continue our way, and we have a great second half of the season.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.