Youssef Chermiti has blasted Rangers season a “failure” after their late-season collapse continued at Ibrox as Hibernian secured a late victory to inflict a fourth consecutive Premiership defeat, a run not seen since 1983, and deepen scrutiny on Danny Rohl and his struggling side.
What was intended to be an emotional evening, marking James Tavernier’s final appearance at Ibrox, instead became another illustration of a team unravelling on and off the pitch.
Tavernier was absent from the matchday squad, left out after an apparent fallout with the German coach, and his teammates slumped to yet another defeat.
James Tavernier denied Ibrox sendoff
Striker Youssef Chermiti, speaking after the loss, admitted the group were affected by Tavernier’s absence but insisted the squad had not been distracted by the surrounding speculation.
Asked about the captain’s non-involvement, he said: “To be honest, we haven’t spoke about this, that’s between Tavernier and the gaffer.
“We didn’t have a chat about nothing about this; we just focused on the game.”
However, Chermiti acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation.
“Yeah obviously, everyone wanted to see him playing today, his last game at Ibrox so of course it’s a sad moment,” he explained.
Tavernier’s omission, amid reports of a rift with Rohl, added another layer of instability to a club already drifting towards the end of a deeply disappointing campaign.
Rangers’ performance on the night reflected that instability.
Hibs struck early through Martin Boyle before Thelo Aasgaard briefly restored parity, but Dane Scarlett’s late winner secured all three points for David Gray’s side, who once again exposed Rangers’ fragility in key moments.
Youssef Chermiti brands Rangers’ season a “failure”
For Chermiti, the defeat was part of a broader pattern of collapse that has defined the closing stages of the season.
Rangers have now lost four league matches in a row, a sequence that has effectively ended any lingering optimism and forced uncomfortable reflection inside the dressing room.
“We know we didn’t win four games in a row, we’re really sad,” said the Portuguese striker.
“But I think that’s just give us a fire on our belly for the next season.”
Pressed further on the scale of the downturn, he was blunter in his assessment of the campaign overall.
“Yeah for sure because this season was a failure for us so obviously we need to improve better and we’ll go again next season.”
The scale of Rangers’ collapse
The run of defeats, which includes losses to Motherwell, Hearts, Celtic and now Hibs. has seen Rangers’ season unravel rapidly after what had once been title aspirations.
Chermiti admitted the squad had not anticipated such a dramatic slide.
“No, to be honest, I don’t think so,” he said when asked if they saw the collapse coming.
He pointed to earlier stages of the campaign when belief was higher, but conceded momentum evaporated quickly.
“Everyone wanted to win the title,” he said.
“We didn’t start well and then we lost against Hearts and then we lost against Celtic.”
Youssef Chermiti believes Rangers don’t need summer changes
Beyond the immediate disappointment, attention has increasingly turned to the broader structural issues at the club, with Rohl himself acknowledging the need for significant change over the summer.
But Chermiti distanced himself from that discussion when asked about the manager’s comments.
“That’s not my job,” he said.
“As I said, I’m just in the club trying to achieve our goals, trying to do my best, run for these badges.
“That’s not my job.”
Even when pressed on what the team needs to improve, his response remained focused solely on his own role within the squad.
“To be honest, I don’t think we need any change.
“But as I said, this is not my job.
“My job is just play, trying to score goals, assist, fight for these badges.”
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Looking ahead, his ambition remains clear even as the club faces a summer of uncertainty and scrutiny over its direction.
“I want to win the title, that’s what I’m thinking for,” he said.
For Rangers, however, the focus is no longer on ambition but repair.
A season that began with expectation has ended in visible disarray, marked by defeat, disconnection and unanswered questions, with Chermiti’s own words summing up the reality starkly – “This season was a failure.”
