Danny Rohl's Rangers poster boy casts aside doubts - now he is 'role model'

A 2-1 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle on December 21 occurred in the midst of summer signing Chermiti’s early Ibrox struggles, a period when supporters would bemoan every missed chance and misplaced pass.

Rangers’ sub-standard recruitment was called into question again as £8 million-man Chermiti, their second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, found himself down the pecking order and occupying a seat on the bench against Derek McInnes’ pacesetting Hearts side.

Introduced at half-time on that occasion, the 21-year-old Portuguese striker grabbed a stoppage-time consolation but his performance did little to win over his critics, many of whom had already written him off as a significant waste of money.

Gradually, though, Chermiti has grown in stature and contributed some crucial goals that could prove decisive in Rangers title bid - most notably his brace against Celtic at Parkhead followed by a hat-trick when Hearts came to Ibrox, before bagging another Old Firm double which included a spectacular overhead kick.

With eight goals in his last nine appearances, Chermiti is finally starting to repay his £8m transfer fee. It has been a transformation few would have expected - barring head coach Danny Rohl.

“Honestly, for me, Youssef is the role model for our development from October to now,” Rohl stated. “I think he has a really difficult time in October, November and maybe if you ask people now, nobody will say he should be on the bench.

“I think four, five months ago we had talks and this is what I said from the first day, about how hard he works for the group, you see in every single game at the moment. He scores goals, he is involved in dangerous situations, he is outstanding in the training at the moment, he really push, he really improved and this is fantastic to see.”

As for how impressed he has been with Chermiti’s show of character, the German boss responded: “Really well, I must say. We try and support him all the time and it was important for us in some moments to keep him on the pitch and protect him. It is what he gives me and gives the team back. We see it in the training. He shows a big, big character I think. He is a player… And what sometimes is also important, especially in this place here and our club, you have to understand what it means.

“If you work hard and you bring a lot of effort in, the outcome will come. This is a good example. Youssef did really well and I am really happy to have him here. Hopefully he scores more goals and he has big courage. In big games, he is always pressing on the pitch. This is good to have.”

Danny Rohl highlights need for fast start at Tynecastle

Rohl has warned his players to anticipate a red-hot reception when they arrive in the capital on Monday evening as they attempt to topple the Premiership leaders and boost their own trophy credentials after a major setback last weekend. Having started slowly and conceded two-goal leads in their last two outings against Motherwell and Falkirk, Rohl recognises the need to frustrate an expectant Tynecastle crowd.

“Of course it makes it much easier with clean sheets,” he admitted. “Football has some moments when you can’t influence the decision making. But a good start in a game helps. It doesn’t just mean a good start from a performance point of view but the score. You can play good football for the first 15 or 20 minutes, but if you are 1-0 down from a set play or counter attack, then the performance makes no sense.

“You have to begin the game well and stay in the game. But if you want to take something positive from it, the team has shown they are able to come back which is a big quality we have improved in the last few weeks and months. You never feel the game is over when we are 1-0 or 2-0 down, you always feel just one signal and we can come back.

“On Sunday after 20 minutes, we had a fantastic ball-winning situation, we made a short switch but the touch was light. If not, then maybe it was 1-1. We need a good start to the game and the longer the game goes, it is also maybe an advantage to play away.”

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