Rangers’ young forward Youssef Chermiti has been ruled out for "a significant period of time" after sustaining a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the club's recent loss to Hibernian. The 22‑year‑old striker collapsed in the first half at Ibrox after a hard collision with the side‑line advertising boards, and was seen leaving the pitch wearing a protective boot and a knee brace.
The injury news broke just hours after Rangers publicly disclosed that they had turned down a sizeable offer for Chermiti from Turkish giants Galatasaray. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the club is now actively exploring the market for an additional attacking option as the summer transfer window draws to a close, following the blow to their forward line.
Although a number of potential signings have been mentioned, there are currently no formal negotiations underway for Sheffield United’s Ryan One, despite earlier speculation linking him with the Glasgow side. The focus appears to be on identifying a player who can immediately fill the void left by Chermiti’s absence and help maintain the team’s offensive momentum. Chermiti, who has represented Portugal at under‑21 level, arrived at Rangers from Everton in the summer of last year on a contract that could rise to £10 million based on performance-related add‑ons.
In his debut season with the club he contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions, a return that quickly made him one of the most valuable assets on the Rangers books. His market valuation now exceeds the club‑record transfer fee received for defender Calvin Bassey, who moved to Ajax for an initial £19.6 million in 2023. The club’s supporters can continue to follow the Scottish Premiership via the NOW streaming platform, while live matches remain available on Sky Sports. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video playback experience.
After the defeat to Hibernian – which also marked manager Derek McInnes’s third winless game in charge – the club’s hierarchy expressed disappointment over Chermiti’s injury. A spokesperson said: "We are very disappointed to see such a promising player have to leave the field on a stretcher. He was looking sharp, making intelligent runs and showing a lot of purpose in his play. His absence will be felt, but we are grateful that he remains a Rangers player and will continue to be part of our plans." Rangers have already completed nine signings this summer, and the tally is expected to rise in the coming days as the transfer deadline approaches on 3 September.
The management is currently assessing several targets to strengthen the squad, including a left‑back to give manager McInnes more defensive depth. This comes after a groin injury to young defender Tuur Rommens, which is projected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. One name that has surfaced is Brentford’s academy graduate Jayden Meghoma, who has been in talks with the club as a possible solution at left‑back. In addition, former Hearts defender James Penrice is on Rangers’ shortlist, although his parent club AEK have been reluctant to approve a loan move.
Discussions are also ongoing with Aston Villa regarding right‑back Kosta Nedeljković, while Belgian international Hugo Siquet has reportedly expressed interest in a switch to Ibrox; however, Club Brugge appear hesitant to let the 24‑year‑old depart. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has confirmed that Rangers intend to bring in between three and five additional players before the window shuts. The first confirmed arrival in this final wave is winger Couhaib Driouech, who will become the club’s tenth signing of the summer.
The 24‑year‑old is in the final stages of his medical and paperwork ahead of a £6.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven. Rangers overcame interest from clubs such as Burnley and Celta Vigo to secure Driouech’s services.
During his time at PSV, Driouech featured in 61 matches, scoring 12 goals—including three in the UEFA Champions League—and providing ten assists, showcasing the kind of attacking flair that the Glasgow side hopes will compensate for the loss of Chermiti. Meanwhile, another squad change appears imminent as midfielder Mohamed Diomande is expected to depart for Turkish side Çorum FK. The deal is rumored to be worth around £4.5 million, which would further reshape the Rangers roster ahead of the upcoming League Cup tie against defending champions St Mirren. In summary, the ACL injury to Youssef Chermiti represents a significant setback for Rangers, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
The club’s proactive approach—seeking multiple reinforcements across the defensive and attacking lines—demonstrates their commitment to remaining competitive in the Scottish Premiership and domestic cup competitions despite the challenges posed by injuries and player departures. The next few weeks will be crucial as the transfer window draws to a close, and the effectiveness of these new signings will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.