Back in November, the conversation around Yousef Chermiti’s Rangers future carried a very different tone. A loan exit was being discussed, Portuguese side Braga were credited with interest, and the £8 million summer signing was framed as a long-term project struggling to find early traction at Ibrox.
Fast forward to late January, and the landscape has shifted dramatically.
Chermiti, once viewed as a developmental piece who might benefit from a reset, has instead become one of the most popular figures in the Rangers squad.
Goals remain modest, he still sits on four this campaign, but numbers alone no longer tell the story. Since his late consolation strike in the 2–1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle in December, the 21-year-old has undergone a notable transformation in performance and perception.
His hold-up play has sharpened, his touch under pressure has improved, and his understanding of when to occupy defenders versus when to link play has developed significantly. The raw physical tools that persuaded Rangers to invest heavily in him are now being paired with greater tactical awareness and confidence.
That progress reached its emotional peak at the beginning of January, when Chermiti scored twice in Rangers 3–1 win at Celtic Park. Regardless of what follows in his career, those goals have secured him a place in recent Ibrox folklore, and altered how he is viewed by supporters.
The idea of a January loan has quietly evaporated. Where Chermiti was once seen as a player who might drop down the pecking order if further attacking reinforcements arrived, he is now regarded internally as the first-choice centre-forward.
Rangers will not entertaining offers this month, and the focus has shifted from managing his value to building around his strengths.
That does not mean movement elsewhere in the forward line is off the table. Rangers remain active in the striker market and have been credited with a bid for Hansa Rostock forward Ryan Naderi as they look to add depth and competition.
The difference now is that such recruitment is no longer a precursor to Chermiti’s exit, but rather part of a broader reshaping of the attacking unit.
If a departure materialises, it is more likely to involve Danilo. The Brazilian has attracted interest from the Netherlands, with Rangers believed to favour a permanent solution over a loan if a deal can be structured.
Injuries and inconsistency have left his role less secure, while Chermiti’s upward trajectory has changed the internal hierarchy.
In November, a loan was framed as a correction. Two months later, Chermiti’s resurgence looks more like vindication of patience, both from the club and the player himself.