Rangers' record bid for Chermiti rejected before his Ibrox injury

Rangers turned down a club-record bid for striker Youssef Chermiti hours before he was stretchered off during Sunday’s match against Hibernian at Ibrox.

The 22-year-old Portugal Under-21 international was replaced by Ryan Naderi after 36 minutes following a heavy fall near the advertising hoardings. The injury occurred as Chermiti chased a loose ball in front of goal, prompting an immediate medical review.

He remained on the ground before being carried off on a stretcher before half time. The incident came just hours after Galatasaray’s verbal approach for Chermiti was rejected by Rangers, who had valued him at a figure that would have set a new club record.

Rangers’ current club-record sale stands at £19 million, set in 2023 by Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax. The bid turned down on Sunday would have surpassed that record, though the club has not disclosed the exact amount.

His withdrawal compounded a difficult afternoon for head coach Derek McInnes, who remains without a league win since taking charge over the summer. The home side had fallen behind to a 12th-minute penalty converted by Josh Campbell before Miguel Chaiwa’s 89th-minute own goal appeared to rescue a point.

Callum Wright’s 93rd-minute winner, however, handed Rangers their first league defeat of the season. McInnes’ side were held by Dundee United on the opening weekend and lost to Jagiellonia Białystok in the Europa League on Thursday.

Chermiti had previously spent seven years at Sporting Lisbon’s academy before signing professionally in 2016. He has also represented Portugal at youth level.