Rangers’ young striker 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 collapsed in the first half after a harsh collision with the boards that line the side of the pitch at Ibrox, and was forced to leave the stadium wearing a protective boot and a knee brace. His injury was confirmed just hours after news broke that Rangers had turned down a lucrative offer for the forward from Turkish giants Galatasaray.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, the club have already begun to explore options to bring in another attacking player before the summer transfer window shuts. While a number of names have been floated, there are currently no active negotiations regarding a move for Sheffield United forward Ryan One, despite earlier speculation linking him with the Glasgow side. Chermiti, who has represented Portugal at under‑21 level, arrived at Rangers from Everton in the summer of last year on a deal that could rise to £10 million based on performance-related add‑ons.
In his debut season he found the net 15 times across all competitions and added five assists, performances that have caused Ibrox executives to value him even higher than the club‑record fee received for centre‑back Calvin Bassey, who transferred to Ajax for an initial £19.6 million in 2023. The injury comes at a difficult moment for the club. After the defeat to Hibernian, manager Derek McInnes endured his third winless game in charge. In his post‑match interview he expressed his disappointment, saying: "I’m gutted for the lad, having to go off on a stretcher.
He looked sharp, making good runs and creating space. He played with purpose and we certainly missed his contribution, but now he’s in a boot and his knee is strapped up. It’s no surprise a player with such a high profile and potential is highly valued – thankfully he remains our player and that won’t change." Rangers have already completed nine signings this summer and are expected to add several more before the transfer deadline on 3 September.
The club’s recruitment focus appears to be shifting towards defensive reinforcements after a recent groin injury to left‑back Tuur Rommens is set to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Sky Sports reported that Brentford’s promising youngster Jayden Meghoma is one of the candidates being considered for the left‑back role.
Other potential targets include former Hearts defender James Penrice, although his parent club AEK have been reluctant to sanction a loan move. Discussions are also ongoing with Aston Villa about the availability of right‑back Kosta Nedeljković. In addition, Belgian winger Hugo Siquet has expressed interest in joining Ibrox, but Club Brugge have been hesitant to release the 24‑year‑old.
Chairman Andrew Cavanagh has confirmed that Rangers intend to bring in between three and five additional players before the window closes. The first confirmed arrival in this final push is 24‑year‑old winger Couhaib Driouech, who is set to become the club’s tenth summer signing. Driouech is in the final stages of his medical and paperwork ahead of a £6.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven. Rangers overcame competition from clubs such as Burnley and Celta Vigo to secure his services.
During his time at PSV, Driouech featured in 61 matches, scoring 12 goals – three of which came in the Champions League – and providing ten assists. While the club works to bolster its squad, there is also movement on the outgoing side.
Midfielder Mohamed Diomande is expected to depart for Turkish side Çorum FK, with the transfer fee reported to be around £4.5 million. The ACL injury suffered by Chermiti is a serious setback for both the player and the team.
An ACL tear typically requires surgical reconstruction followed by a rehabilitation period that can range from six to nine months, depending on the severity of the damage and the individual’s response to physiotherapy. This means that Chermiti is unlikely to return to first‑team action until at least the latter part of the next season, if not later.
The club’s medical staff will be closely monitoring his progress, and they will likely implement a structured recovery program designed to restore strength, stability, and confidence in the injured knee. In the meantime, Rangers will have to rely on the depth of their attacking options. Players such as Ryan Benson, who has shown a knack for scoring crucial goals, and the newly signed Driouech, who brings pace and creativity on the wing, will be expected to shoulder more responsibility. The club’s tactical approach under McInnes may also evolve, with an increased emphasis on wing play and midfield support to compensate for the loss of Chermiti’s direct goal‑threat.
The broader context of Rangers’ transfer activity underscores the club’s ambition to compete on multiple fronts – the Scottish Premiership, the Scottish Cup, and the League Cup, as well as potential European competition. Adding quality to both the defensive line and the attacking flanks reflects a strategic intent to build a balanced squad capable of challenging for honors while also mitigating the impact of injuries like the one suffered by Chermiti.
Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how the club navigates this challenging period. The combination of strategic signings, careful injury management, and tactical flexibility will be crucial in determining whether Rangers can maintain their momentum and continue to vie for silverware despite the loss of one of their most promising young talents.