Rangers may have cruised to a convincing 4–1 win over Aberdeen, but beneath the scoreline lies a growing concern that could derail their title ambitions. Manager Danny Röhl is facing an increasingly clear problem: his strikers are not delivering when it matters most.
While goals from midfield and defense ensured victory at Ibrox, the continued struggles of Youssef Chermiti and Ryan Naderi have raised serious questions about Rangers’ attacking reliability as the season enters its decisive phase.
Chermiti, who has been entrusted with leading the line, endured another frustrating outing. The 21-year-old failed to score for the second consecutive league game and is still searching for his first goal in the Scottish Premiership after seven appearances. Despite getting into promising positions against Aberdeen, his finishing once again let him down. Two shots, both off target, and multiple missed opportunities summed up a performance that will concern both the coaching staff and supporters.
For a player expected to spearhead a title challenge, those numbers are worrying. Chermiti has shown flashes of quality in high-profile fixtures, particularly against rivals like Celtic and in clashes with Heart of Midlothian, but his inconsistency against other opponents is becoming a major issue.
Alongside him, Naderi’s performance offered little reassurance. Although he managed to register an assist, his overall contribution was far from convincing. A passing accuracy of just 60 percent and frequent losses of possession disrupted Rangers’ attacking flow. In a title race where margins are razor-thin, inefficiency in the final third can prove costly.
Former Rangers player Andy Halliday echoed these concerns, highlighting the lack of goals from the club’s forwards. His remarks underline a broader frustration: significant investment has been made in the attacking department, yet the returns have not matched expectations. When strikers fail to convert chances, the burden inevitably shifts to other areas of the team.
Interestingly, that is where Rangers have excelled.
Defensively, the partnership between Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez has provided a solid foundation. Their composure, organization, and ability to limit opposition chances have been crucial in maintaining results. In recent weeks, this defensive stability has allowed Rangers to grind out victories even when their attack has faltered.
However, relying too heavily on defense is a risky strategy in a title race. Rangers currently trail Heart of Midlothian by three points with just seven games remaining. With the top-six split approaching, every match will carry enormous significance, and missed chances could prove decisive.
Röhl now faces a critical decision. Does he persist with Chermiti and hope the young striker finds form at the right moment, or does he look to alternative options such as Bojan Miovski, who has had limited opportunities in recent weeks? The answer could shape the outcome of Rangers’ season.
There is no doubt that the team possesses the quality to compete at the highest level domestically. Their ability to score from multiple areas of the pitch is a strength, but it cannot fully compensate for a misfiring frontline. In tight matches against well-organized defenses, a clinical striker often makes the difference between victory and dropped points.
As the season heads into its final stretch, the pressure is mounting. Rangers remain firmly in the title race, but their margin for error is shrinking. If Chermiti and Naderi cannot find their scoring touch soon, the club’s hopes of lifting the Premiership trophy could slip away.
For Röhl, the challenge is clear: fix the attack before it’s too late—or risk watching the title race slip through his fingers.
