Rangers' young forward Youssef Chermiti has suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out of action for a "significant period of time" following the club's 2-1 loss to Hibernian at Ibrox on Sunday. The 22‑year‑old striker was forced to leave the pitch in the first half after a heavy collision with the advertising boards that line the touchline.
He was seen exiting the stadium wearing a protective boot on his injured leg and a knee brace, a stark visual reminder of the severity of the damage. The timing of the injury could not have been worse for Rangers. Just hours earlier, the club had publicly rejected a lucrative offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray, a bid that many believed reflected Chermiti's rising market value.
With his recovery now projected to take many months, the management have immediately turned their attention to the transfer market in an effort to plug the void left by the promising striker. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Rangers hierarchy are actively scouting for another forward as the summer window draws to a close, and they have already identified a shortlist of potential targets. While there have been rumors linking Sheffield United's Ryan One to a possible move, the club has confirmed that no formal discussions are currently underway with the English side. Chermiti, who has represented Portugal at under‑21 level, arrived at Ibrox from Everton last summer on a deal that could rise to £10 million if certain performance-related clauses are met.
In his debut season he delivered an impressive return of 15 goals and five assists across all competitions, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Scottish Premiership. His contributions have prompted Rangers' board to value him even higher than the club‑record fee received for defender Calvin Bassey, who transferred to Ajax for an initial £19.6 million in 2023.
Speaking after the defeat, Rangers manager Derek McInnes, who is still winless in his first three games in charge, expressed his disappointment at losing a player of Chermiti's calibre so early in the campaign. "I’m gutted to see him go off on a stretcher," McInnes said. "He was looking bright, making runs in behind and creating space for the team.
He played with purpose, and his absence will be felt. He’s a player with a big tag on his contract and huge potential, but thankfully he’s still our player and will remain so once he recovers." The club's transfer activity this summer has already been busy, with nine signings confirmed and more expected before the September 3 deadline. In addition to the forward search, Rangers are also looking to strengthen their defensive options.
Left‑back Tuur Rommens is currently nursing a groin injury that could keep him sidelined for several weeks, prompting the club to explore alternatives. Brentford's young full‑back Jayden Meghoma has been mentioned as a possible solution, and discussions have reportedly taken place with the player’s representatives. Former Hearts left‑back James Penrice is another name on the radar, although his parent club AEK have been reluctant to approve a loan move. On the right side, talks are said to be ongoing with Aston Villa regarding the availability of Kosta Nedeljković, while Belgian winger Hugo Siquet has expressed interest in a move to Ibrox, despite Club Brugge's hesitation to let the 24‑year‑old depart.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has confirmed that Rangers intend to add between three and five more players before the window closes, underscoring the club's ambition to reinforce the squad across multiple positions. The first confirmed addition in this final phase is 24‑year‑old winger Couhaib Driouech, who is completing his medical and paperwork for a £6.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven.
Driouech becomes the tenth summer signing for Rangers. The Dutch club had to fend off interest from several suitors, including Burnley and Spanish side Celta Vigo, before the deal was sealed.
During his time at PSV, Driouech recorded 12 goals in 61 appearances, added three goals in the Champions League last season, and supplied ten assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute both in domestic leagues and on the European stage. While the arrival of Driouech provides a boost to the attacking options, another departure is looming.
Midfielder Mohamed Diomande is expected to leave the club this week, with Turkish side Çorum FK reportedly preparing to sign him for a fee around £4.5 million. Diomande's exit will free up further wage budget and could allow Rangers to bring in additional depth as they prepare for a congested fixture list that includes a League Cup clash against holders St Mirren. In summary, Rangers face a challenging period ahead.
The loss of Youssef Chermiti to a long‑term ACL injury not only weakens their striking force but also forces the club to accelerate its recruitment strategy. Manager Derek McInnes will need to adapt his tactical plans, relying on the newly signed players and existing squad members to fill the creative and goal‑scoring gap. The club's proactive approach in the transfer market, highlighted by the imminent signing of Couhaib Driouech and the pursuit of additional defensive reinforcements, reflects a determination to remain competitive in the Scottish Premiership and in cup competitions despite the setbacks. Fans will be hoping that the new arrivals settle quickly and that Chermiti's rehabilitation progresses smoothly, allowing him to return to Ibroff in full health and continue his promising career with Rangers.