Let’s cut to it — a Rangers number one striker is judged by goals. I’m not out to pillory Chermiti; there have been signs he’s getting better. But when he misses the big moments, and when his return sits at single figures, the criticism isn’t coming from nowhere. The truth is simple: goals win games, and right now our forwards aren’t doing the basic job often enough.

Goals are the bottom line

You can talk about link-up play, pressing, or how a striker helps the team by creating space, and all of that matters. But ultimately the tally on the scoresheet is what separates a good number two from a proper number one. Fans remember the strikers who put the ball in the net when it mattered. Dessers’ haul over two seasons was decent but, as some have said, didn’t convince everyone he was the undisputed leading man. Nine goals for a current front-runner invites the same scrutiny.

Dropping deep — real tactic or convenient excuse?

We hear the line about him being asked to drop deep to make space. Maybe that’s happening. Maybe it helps the team in certain moments. But without clear evidence it starts to sound like a tidy explanation to paper over a low goals return. Who knows what’s said in training? I don’t. Neither do the people who state it as gospel. The sensible stance is to acknowledge the tactical nuance while still demanding end product from the player leading the line.

The wider cost for the team

It’s not just pride or individual reputation at stake. Failing to convert chances costs points. Draws pile up. You can make the argument that others should chip in, and I’ve always said that too. Football is a team sport. But when the recognised striker isn’t scoring, it puts extra pressure on teammates and on the manager to reshuffle things that were otherwise working.

So yes, be fair — Chermiti has shown positives. But be honest as well. For Rangers, the primary metric for a striker is goals, and until that improves the questions will keep coming. We all want him to start hitting the net more regularly; it would make everyone’s life a lot easier.

Written by Stromtrooper1: 17 May 2026

Tags: tactics transfers