Rangers line up move to sign big Chermiti upgrade with 18 goals this season

Glasgow Rangers centre-forward Youssef Chermiti failed to add to his collection of goals against Hearts in the 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle on Monday.

The Gers had their Scottish Premiership title hopes pretty much ended with a loss that leaves them seven points adrift with only three matches left to play.

Chermiti had scored four goals in his previous two appearances against the Jam Tarts for the Light Blues, with a goal at Tynecastle and a hat-trick at Ibrox.

The Portugal U21 international struggled in his latest appearance against them, though, as he lost 11 of his 15 ground duels and nine of his 17 aerial battles throughout the game.

He also failed to register a single shot on target and did not create any chances for his teammates, despite playing the full 90 minutes for Danny Rohl‘s side.

Rangers eyeing move for Canadian centre-forward

Chermiti’s inconsistency in the final third, going from scoring an overhead kick against Celtic to being anonymous against Hearts, may be why the club are reportedly looking to bolster their attack in the summer.

The Light Blues are said to be considering a move for another number nine who could arrive at Ibrox as an upgrade on the former Everton man in the off-season.

According to the Daily Mail, Glasgow Rangers are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Plymouth Argyle centre-forward Bim Pepple.

The report claims that his performances in the English third tier have alerted the club’s scouts, whilst Celtic, Norwich, Portsmouth, and Watford are also keen on the Canada international.

It adds that teams are so keen on signing the League One star that they are willing to triple his wages to convince him to leave Argyle, although it is not stated how much he currently earns.

The Daily Mail does not reveal how much Plymouth would demand for the 23-year-old centre-forward, though, or if Rangers are willing to make a formal offer at this time.

How Bim Pepple would be an upgrade on Youssef Chermiti for Rangers

If the Light Blues do go through with a deal to sign the Canadian marksman from the English outfit this summer, Pepple could be an upgrade on Chermiti for Rohl heading into the Premiership next term.

The Plymouth star’s form in League One during the 2025/26 campaign was extraordinary and suggests that he has the potential to offer an even greater threat in front of goal than the Portuguese attacker has so far this season for the Gers.

Pepple has scored four more league goals whilst missing six fewer ‘big chances’ than Chermiti this season, which shows that he has been far more clinical with the chances that have come his way.

The Canada international, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions for Plymouth, has also shown far more variety in the way that he can find the back of the net, with three headed goals and five weak-footed goals in League One.

Chermiti, meanwhile, has scored ten of his 12 goals with his stronger right-foot and has not been as effective when crosses have come to his head, or he has had to shoot with his weaker foot.

The £8m signing from Everton may not be as clinical as Pepple because of his struggles with headers and weak-footed shots, which is why the Canadian could arrive at Ibrox as a big upgrade for Rohl.

Rangers lacked a real cutting edge at the top end of the pitch against Hearts, as Lawrence Shankland showed his quality with a terrific finish for the winning goal, and Chermiti’s struggles were a big part of that.

Pepple’s form for Plymouth, if he can translate it over to the Premiership, suggests that he would provide the cutting edge that the Gers sometimes lack with Chermiti.

Therefore, the board should push to beat the likes of Norwich, Celtic, and Watford to the signing of the 23-year-old centre-forward when the summer transfer window officially opens for business to bolster Rohl’s attacking options.