Mustapha SheiduYouseff Chermiti dropped the coldest, least media trained response of the year when asked about his performance against Celtic
In a pulsating Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on January 3, 2026, Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti delivered a career-defining performance, scoring twice to inspire a stunning 3-1 comeback victory over bitter rivals Celtic. The 21-year-old Portuguese forward, who joined Rangers from Everton in a £8-10m deal last summer, had faced intense criticism for his slow start at Ibrox. But against Celtic, he silenced doubters with a quickfire second-half brace that turned the game on its head.
Celtic dominated the first half, taking a deserved lead through Yang Hyun-jun’s 19th-minute strike. Rangers weathered the storm, and Chermiti exploded after the break. Just five minutes into the second half, he tapped home from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cut-back to equalize. Nine minutes later, he capitalized on defensive errors, dispossessing Anthony Ralston and racing clear to curl a composed finish past Kasper Schmeichel. Mikey Moore added a third to seal the win, leaving Rangers level on points with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking to Sky Sports pitchside after the match, a beaming Chermiti said: “It’s always good to score in a derby. As I said pre-match, this is what I work for, what everyone works for.” The young striker, often ridiculed earlier in the season, reflected on his journey: “I’ve had tough moments since arriving, but I always believed in myself. Today shows what hard work can do. The fans have been patient, and this is for them.”
Manager Danny Röhl, who backed Chermiti despite calls to drop him, hailed it as a “special story.” Chermiti’s goals not only piled misery on under-pressure Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy but injected fresh belief into Rangers’ title challenge. From flop to Old Firm hero in one afternoon—this could be the turning point for the talented forward.
Mustapha Sheidu
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