Ferguson: Rangers player has all the hallmarks of being a cult hero

Danny Rohl has managed to improve almost every Rangers player since arriving at Ibrox in October.

The German took over a Rangers side left in disarray by Russell Martin, who will go down as one of – if not the – worst managers in the Gers’ history.

Rangers’ 5-0 win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup on Friday made it six victories on the spin since Christmas.

Rohl now has Rangers very much in Scottish Premiership title contention, with pretty much every member of the squad finally stepping up.

Among those is striker Youssef Chermiti, who took time to get going following his big-money arrival from Everton in the summer.

Youssef Chermiti slowly starting to justify Rangers transfer fee

Chermiti was one of the biggest underperformers under Martin, with fans questioning exactly why £8million – potentially rising to £10m – was splashed out on the striker.

While the 21-year-old still is not exactly prolific under Rohl, he is at least now contributing to goals more regularly.

Indeed, Chermiti scored a famous double in Rangers’ 3-1 win at Celtic earlier this month to make it three goals and an assist in his past six appearances.

And in the view of former Rangers player Derek Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Chermiti has all the hallmarks to become a cult hero.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him. I’m delighted for the gnashers he’s got as well – absolutely sparkling,” Ferguson joked. “He must have got those in Turkey.

“But his smile of late says everything. When he joined he was devoid of confidence, but slowly but surely he’s come good.

“It’s incredible – the harder you work, the better you play, the more you enjoy yourself and the more things fall for you.

“He has the makings of being a cult hero at Rangers. He’s a big, powerful lad who works his socks off. When you score two goals away at Celtic, that puts you in the good books.

“We’ve a lot of loving for him. He came off the other day and had an amazing ovation which will do his confidence the world of good.”

Chermiti has four goals and two assists overall for Rangers in 16 league appearances, seven of those as a starter.

• Read more: Hugh Keevins raises Rangers concern as exits stall for Danny Rohl at Ibrox

What Russell Martin said about Chermiti starting to come true

Speaking upon Chermiti’s arrival in Glasgow in the summer, Martin described the Portugal Under-21 international as a “long-term investment” for Rangers.

Martin added that Chermiti would be a “brilliant investment” for the Gers, seemingly trying to take pressure off the attacker from needing to make a fast start.

The truth, though, is that a fee of this size demands an instant impact. Chermiti is now starting to show what he is capable of, although there is surely still far more to come.

A cult hero he may well become, but the only way that will be possible is if he can provide more memories like the ones against Celtic.

Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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