Rangers forward Youssef Chermiti scored one of the most sensational Old Firm goals earlier this month in a 2-2 draw with Celtic at Ibrox.
That overhead strike and his subsequent second goal came off the back of a hat-trick against Premiership league leaders Hearts in a 4-2 win.
This is form which has seen him crowned the league’s Player of the Month for February.
Stunning strike
Speaking about his bicycle kick against Celtic with Sky Sports the Portuguese forward he admitted that he had attempted the finish before – but for it to come off in such a huge fixture made it so much more rewarding.
“I’ve been trying that goal a few times, but unfortunately in other games it didn’t go in,” he revealed.
“It was a really good moment for me.”
The enigma of Youssef Chermiti
A striker who has been described as an enigma by sections of the Ibrox support, capable of moments of brilliance and moments of bafflement within the same game.
He has been accused of lacking a ‘striker’s instinct’ but when asked to describe his thought process prior to the finish he suggested it was more instinctive than pre-planned.
He said: “The first time I thought I was going to hit it, but then I saw the ball go backwards, so I just tried and said, ‘let’s go, let’s see’.”
During February he more than doubled his tally for the season – going from four league goals to nine at present and he believes this is down to an overall team improvement.
“I feel more confident in the team, with my teammates, with the fans,” he said.
“They give me a lot of love now, but I think I can still improve here. My confidence has been growing here, so I feel good.”
Up for the title fight
Despite Rangers recent setbacks against Celtic, the former Everton striker still has full belief that he and his teammates can bring the Premiership title back to Ibrox.
He said: “Everyone believes we can win the league.
“We’ve got 27 points to go, nine games and we’re going to look game by game.”
Rangers route to the trophy needs to start this Sunday as Rangers head to Paisley to take on managerless St Mirren – there are four games left until the split and anything less than 12 points could signal the end of their chase.
For Chermiti, who has scored eight of his nine Rangers goals against either Celtic or Hearts.
The upcoming run of games is a chance for him to prove he is able to perform and score consistently and not just on the big occasions.
Something needed from a successful Rangers number nine.
