Kevin Thelwell ‘laughing’ at Rangers after Youssef Chermiti twist
Kevin Thelwell may have had the last laugh on Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti following his two goals against Celtic.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states Chermiti is now a “hero” at Rangers for his Glasgow derby heroics.
Chermiti’s brace helped Rangers to a 3-1 win over Celtic to continue their surge up the table, and continue Danny Rohl’s impressive tenure as boss.
Rangers signed Chermiti for £10million from Everton in the summer window, and the 21-year-old had only scored two goals for the club before his double against Celtic.
Youssef Chermiti ‘a hero for life at Rangers’
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Chermiti’s confidence should be boosted by his goals against Celtic.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks former Rangers sporting director Thelwell, who was sacked by the club, will be “laughing” following Chermiti’s brace.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Listen, the fickleness of football is incredible. I heard the fans booing Chermiti a few weeks ago, and again I saw them chanting his name, and he’s got his own song now, and all of a sudden he’s a hero.
“You scored two goals against Celtic, and it’s like, you’re the hero for life up in Rangers land. But yes, this will give him confidence. As we all know, strikers can give you confidence. Kevin Thelwell will be laughing, saying, I told you so.
“And he’s a physical talent, but maybe this will give him that impetus to go forward. But to score two goals against Celtic at Celtic Park. You don’t get that many chances, and so that will give him such confidence.”
Rangers make transfer U-turn
Chermiti may have been heading for a quick Ibrox exit, but his Celtic goals have turned his fortunes around in Glasgow.
Rangers are now not planning on selling Chermiti in January, hoping that the striker can kick on and cement a position in Rohl’s starting XI.
The number nine position has been one of concern for Rangers this season, with both Bojan Miovski and Danilo Pereira also struggling for form.