Youssef Chermiti has declared that Rangers' dramatic victory over Hearts has elevated the team's belief in winning the Scottish Premiership title to unprecedented heights. The Portuguese striker's first career hat-trick secured a crucial 4-2 win at Ibrox on Sunday, narrowing the gap to league leaders to just two points with 11 games remaining in the season.
A Turning Point in the Title Race
Trailing 2-1 during the match, Chermiti's stunning performance ensured Danny Rohl's side are firmly in contention to clinch the championship for the first time since 2021. This marks a remarkable turnaround for a team that was 13 points adrift when Rohl replaced Russell Martin earlier in the campaign.
Building Momentum Under Rohl
Since the German head coach's arrival at Ibrox, Rangers have emerged as the form team in the country. Chermiti emphasised the palpable belief now coursing through the squad, stating that confidence is key to their success. "That's giving me a lot of confidence," he said of the victory. "As soon as the team are confident, I feel confident. The most important thing is the team and that's the important thing for us, the confidence of the team, the mentality we are building."
The 21-year-old Tunisian striker acknowledged the challenges he has faced since his £8 million summer move from Everton, enduring criticism for underwhelming early performances. However, Sunday's breakthrough has transformed his fortunes, with home fans chanting his name at full-time—a moment he described as "really important" but stressed that team success remains paramount.
Personal and Team Aspirations
When asked what lifting the Premiership trophy would mean personally, Chermiti responded emphatically: "That would be everything for me." He reflected on the ups and downs of football, noting, "I think that's part of football and life, you have up and downs. On Sunday, I scored a hat-trick, today I can miss a goal. That's football."
With seven goals now to his name, Chermiti credits the club's supportive environment for his resurgence. "Everyone in this club gave me a lot of confidence," he said, while urging humility. "But I think everyone needs to be humble, everyone needs to stay humble. Every game is important for us."
Tactical Innovations and Partnerships
Rohl's tactical acumen was on display as he deployed Chermiti alongside new signing Ryan Naderi in an attacking partnership that troubled Hearts throughout the match. The duo combined effectively, with Chermiti highlighting their growing understanding. "We've been building a good relationship," he explained. "I've been knowing more about his movement, what he likes to do, he has been knowing more about my movement as well. So, it has been good."
Looking Ahead to the Final Stretch
As Rangers prepare for their upcoming fixture against Livingston, Chermiti remains focused on the title race. "Yeah, we're in the race," he asserted. "I think everyone likes a league like this, tight. This is where you see the good players. The pressure is on, we are looking for the title, 100 per cent."
The striker's journey from early struggles to hat-trick hero underscores the transformative impact of Rohl's management and the collective mentality being forged at Ibrox. With belief soaring and momentum building, Rangers' title aspirations have been reignited in spectacular fashion.
