Chermiti Steals the Show in Rangers’ Thrilling Comeback Victory
After a week where criticism seemed to be raining down, manager Danny Rohl could certainly bask in the satisfaction of this hard-fought win. Securing four crucial points from matches against Motherwell and Hearts was always going to be a significant achievement as the business end of the title race approaches. Those who questioned Rohl’s somewhat unconventional team selections in the previous encounter were silenced by the strategic brilliance that unfolded in this latest fixture. Ultimately, the only metric that truly matters is the league table, and after trailing the Edinburgh side by a considerable 13 points upon his arrival, Rangers are now breathing down the necks of the league leaders. Should they manage to edge ahead in the coming days, it’s highly probable they’ll have the tenacity to stay there.
While not a definitive “must-win” in the strictest sense, this was undoubtedly a match Rohl’s men could not afford to lose. The journey to securing all three points was anything but straightforward, marked by significant adversity. An uninspired start saw them fall behind, then draw level, only to concede again. Yet, when the crucial moment arrived, an unlikely hero emerged to turn the tide.
Youssef Chermiti, who has faced considerable scrutiny since his £8 million move from Everton, a player who might have struggled to win a popularity contest even within his own household, delivered his finest performance in a Rangers jersey by a significant margin. After netting the vital second equaliser just six minutes before the half-time whistle, he seemed determined to single-handedly secure the victory. His two exquisite finishes sealed the points and earned him his first career match ball. The sight of him posing for photographs and selfies with the prized ball tucked under his arm at full-time added another fascinating chapter to this already eventful season.
This was a particularly bitter pill to swallow for Derek McInnes’ Hearts. They had managed to secure a win in the Edinburgh derby despite not playing at their best and, crucially, failed to heed the warnings. Rangers, on the other hand, were always likely to capitalise on a performance that, much like Hearts’, was lacking in key areas. The most frustrating aspect for the Hearts manager was that his team remained in contention for extended periods. However, after taking the lead through Marc Leonard and then Claudio Braga, their grip on the advantage proved fleeting, lasting only three and nine minutes respectively. When Chermiti struck his third goal, it appeared to be the decisive blow, leaving Hearts unable to muster a response and grab the point they would have gladly accepted before kick-off.
Hearts remain firmly in the title hunt, but they will need to display far more resilience and determination, particularly in the second half, if they are to maintain that position.
A Match for the Ages: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The season has already delivered its fair share of extraordinary encounters, and undoubtedly, there are more to come. However, it’s debatable whether we will witness a contest superior to this one. What unfolded over ninety minutes, plus stoppage time, was sheer, unadulterated drama. The unwavering commitment from both sides was evident, with momentum swinging back and forth. Periods of dominance were punctuated by individual errors and moments of sheer brilliance. The only genuine regret was that such an enthralling spectacle had to conclude.
A surprisingly subdued opening gave no indication of the fireworks that were about to ignite. The early departure of the injured Oisin McEntee was the only notable event in the initial stages, with his replacement, Michael Steinwender, quickly finding himself at the heart of the action.
Hearts’ opening goal was, from a Rangers perspective, a defensive lapse of significant proportions. Manny Fernandez, contemplating a pass to Nico Raskin, hesitated and then attempted to revert to his initial plan as the Belgian turned away. With Raskin momentarily out of the play, Marc Leonard seized the opportunity, advancing into space. The Scot then fed Braga, maintaining his run. Braga held up the ball, swivelled, and delivered a perfectly weighted cut-back, which Leonard swept into the top corner, leaving a static Jack Butland with no chance.
This goal should have provided Hearts with a much-needed boost. Instead, much to their manager’s chagrin, they conceded possession cheaply soon after. Within three minutes, Rangers had found their equaliser. This came about due to a moment of panic from Michael Steinwender amidst the unfolding chaos. A cross from the left by Tuur Rommens forced Alexander Schwolow to parry a header from Youssef Chermiti. Mikey Moore struck the rebound, seeing it bounce off the crossbar. While Ryan Naderi was nearby, there was no apparent reason for Steinwender to panic and lash the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Team Line-Ups and Match Officials
RANGERS (4-4-2):
Butland 6.5; Sterling 7 (Tavernier 58), Souttar 6.5, Fernandez 6.5, Rommens 7; Skov Olsen 7 (Diomande 80), Chukwuani 7, Raskin 6.5; Moore 7 (Gassama 88),
CHERMITI 8.5
, Naderi 6.5 (Antman 80).
Booked: Skov Olsen, Chermiti.
Manager: Danny Rohl 8.
HEARTS (4-2-3-1):
Schwolow 5; McEntee 3 (Steinwender 12/Mato 88), Halkett 5, Findlay 5, Milne 5.5; Baningime 6 (Magnusson 74), Leonard 6; Chesnokov 5.5 (Landry Kabore 45), Ageu 5 (Altena 45), Kyziridis 5; Braga 6.5.
Booked: Ageu, Leonard, Milne.
Manager: Derek McInnes 5.
Referee: Don Robertson.
Attendance: 51,092.
Rangers briefly asserted their dominance in the increasingly frantic contest. Mikey Moore’s impressive footwork created an opportunity, but Craig Halkett produced an outstanding block to deny him.
Steinwender then redeemed himself in spectacular fashion as Hearts regained the lead on the half-hour mark. In an advanced position, his delicately clipped cross from the right was a thing of beauty. With John Souttar applying pressure, Braga seemed to be the underdog in the aerial duel. However, he somehow twisted his body and executed a magnificent looping header that crept inside Butland’s far post.
This time, Hearts’ advantage lasted a mere nine minutes. The breakdown of a visiting counter-attack saw Fernandez surge up the park. He played in Andreas Skov Olsen, who in turn found Naderi. The German’s flick found Chermiti, who had a considerable amount of work to do. Halkett went to ground, only to see his block ricochet back into the path of the Portuguese forward. Chermiti drilled the ball low past Schwolow, bringing an end to a breathless first half.
McInnes introduced Pierre Landry Kabore and Jordi Altena at the break, and initially, it appeared his side had regained control of the match. But, as history would show, appearances could be deceiving.
Just before the hour mark, a lapse in communication between Harry Milne and Craig Halkett provided Andreas Skov Olsen with too much space on the right flank. The winger’s cross was perfectly weighted. Chermiti rose to meet it and buried the header with aplomb. For the first time in the match, Rangers had taken the lead.
One sensed that a fourth goal would effectively seal the contest. Moore fired narrowly over, and Rommens had a goal-bound strike blocked. However, Hearts continued to believe.
Amidst the mayhem, moments of composure were scarce, but if any side was demonstrating periods of control, it was the team in blue. Naderi looked poised to put the game to bed when he latched onto Chermiti’s flick-on. Somehow, Harry Milne managed to recover and make a crucial intervention. As a substitute, Oliver Antman unleashed a fierce strike that flashed wide of the post. Had that gone in, it would have undoubtedly eased the frayed nerves of the home supporters as the clock wound down.
It wasn’t until the 90th minute that the outcome was definitively settled. A long Hearts free-kick was cleared, and suddenly Djeidi Gassama was eating up the ground. Just as he appeared to be running out of options, a perfectly weighted slide-rule pass found Chermiti. The Portuguese forward executed a precise right-footed finish into the far corner, bringing a dramatic close to a truly sensational afternoon at Ibrox.
