Rangers boss Derek McInnes fears Youssef Chermiti could be facing a long-term lay-off after the striker was stretchered off during the 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Ibrox. The injury comes just hours after the club rejected a club-record £22million bid from Galatasaray for the 22-year-old.
Chermiti injury mars defeat
Chermiti left the pitch on a stretcher before half-time after a sickening fall. McInnes said the player is in a boot with his knee in a brace and will be scanned on Monday. The manager admitted the loss of his star striker was a blow, saying: "I thought he was looking bright and running gaps. I thought he played with a bit of purpose. And there's no doubt we missed that."
The defeat, sealed by a controversial Josh Campbell penalty and a stoppage-time winner from Callum Wright, left Rangers five points behind Celtic already. McInnes, still searching for his first win as Rangers boss, said: "The bid was rejected, which we are delighted about. We know it's a big number that came in for him. But we have got plans for Youssef to be with us this season."
Transfer uncertainty
Reports in Turkey suggest Chermiti is not the only player attracting interest, with Corum FK linked to Mohamed Diomande. McInnes said: "I don't know about that. I think there may be some conversations going on about that. I don't know if there's been an official bid or anything like that."
On moves for PSV winger Couhaib Driouech and former Hearts full-back James Penrice, McInnes said: "Probably not officially. There's been a few names in the press over the last few days where I think that has been quite accurate. There's a lot of things that are ongoing at the minute."
Positives to build on
Despite the loss, McInnes highlighted positives, including Olwethu Makhanya's first 90 minutes since May and Daisuke Yokota's moments of promise. He stressed the need for reinforcements, saying: "Clearly, we could do it with some help. Clearly, we could do it with certain players in certain areas, helping us out."
