Danny Rohl is convinced that the “quality” player will now decide to stay at Rangers after negotiations
Rangers boss Danny Rohl is confident the Gers star will be at Ibrox next season, following talks with him.
Rangers dismantle Falkirk as plans begin for next term
The Gers capped a frustrating season with a 5-2 thrashing by Falkirk, a scoreline that told the story of what Rohl’s side are capable of when things click, and deepened the sense of what might have been.
Third place and 69 points doesn’t come close to reflecting the ambitions that surrounded Ibrox at the start of the campaign.
The 49ers’ first season as owners was supposed to herald a new era. Instead, Rangers watched from afar as Celtic and Hearts battled out one of the most dramatic title races in Scottish football history, with Celtic becoming champions for 56 on the final afternoon with a 3-1 victory over the Jambos at Parkhead.
The Rangers have been in suspense for a long time.
Ahead of the post-breakup games, they sit one point behind league leaders Hearts and are considered title favorites by the bookies. What followed was a fall that will take a long time to forget.
Four consecutive defeats – to Motherwell, Hearts, Celtic and Hibernian – sapped the momentum and ended any realistic hope of silverware.
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The 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park last week was devastating, and led to serious questions over Rohl’s future at the club.
Those questions have been answered.
Rohl is said to have held talks with the board earlier this week and has been given assurances that he will continue in charge next season, with 49 players committed to supporting what is expected to be a significant summer rebuild.
Captain James Tavernier is leaving after 11 years, and the German coach has been vocal about the need for “new leaders” in the dressing room.
One player Rohl is keen to build around is Youssef Chermiti.
Danny Rohl shares an update on Youssef Chermiti’s future after the talks
The 21-year-old Portuguese striker endured a torrid start at Ibrox following his £8m move from Everton, going weeks without a goal and receiving strong criticism from supporters.
But since the beginning of the year, the change has been remarkable.
A goal against Celtic at Parkhead in January, a hat-trick against Hearts in February, two more goals against the Old Firm at Ibrox in March – Chermiti finished the season with 15 goals and five assists, the most comfortable campaign of his young career.
After today’s win in Falkirk, Rohl spoke to reporters about the striker’s development and what he expects from him going forward:
“There is no question. I spoke to Youssef on the field,” said Rohl, when asked if the striker could still be at Rangers next season.
“I also spoke to him eight weeks ago and we talked about goals.
“Not only in the big games but also the ones where he has to score. Youssef has quality and gives me great hope that he will be here from the first day of next season.
“He needed a little time to settle down but in the second half of the season he did a great job. After a tough week and three games in a row, he’s on the pitch trying to fight and run. That’s what I’ve seen from him since the start and now we’ve added some goals.
“We have to keep the core. It is important that we continue that but it is important that we have new blood and strength with new players.”
Whether Chermiti stays may not be entirely in Rohl’s hands.
The 49ers are expected to fund their rebuild in part through player trades, so Chermiti and linebacker Nicolas Raskin could both be available for a reasonable price if tempting offers come in.
A combined cost of around £40m for the couple has been estimated.
For now, however, Rohl plans that Chermiti will be at the heart of his project next season. And on this evidence, Rangers would be wise to listen.
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