Despite rejecting a deadline-day move, one Glasgow Rangers player who is not in the plans of manager Russell Martin could still complete a departure away from Ibrox.
Youssef Chermiti "only wanted" Rangers
A busy summer ended with a hectic deadline day for all involved at the Gers, who welcomed both Youssef Chermiti and Derek Cornelius. The former arrives with the task of helping to replace the goals of Hamza Igamane following the forward’s move to LOSC Lille, whilst Cornelius must somehow fix the leak within Martin’s backline.
Speaking for the first time since arriving from Everton, Chermiti told Rangers’ official website: “I am really happy to be here. As soon as Kevin [Thelwell] and the manager spoke with me, I did have other choices but I just wanted to join Rangers and I am here now.
“Kevin and I have had a good relationship since Everton and he text me during pre-season and I spoke with my agents and my family and we got this done. For me the most important thing is the interest from the club and the interest of the manager to be on the team. Of course I want to play so for me the most important thing was coming here to play.”
There’s certainly room for the 21-year-old to hit the ground running too. Cyriel Dessers’ late departure should see Chermiti enter Martin’s squad as soon as possible in the hope of making an instant impact.
A similar departure also very nearly took place within Martin’s backline, only for one defender to reject an exit even though he’s not in the manager’s plans. The task that the Gers now have on their hands is showing him the exit door one way or another.
Nsiala could still leave Rangers
According to The Glasgow Times, Clinton Nsiala could still leave Rangers after rejecting a deadline-day loan move to Dynamo Kyiv. The defender is not in Martin’s plans and those at Ibrox are still trying to find the right move for him amid further loan interest from Anderlecht, KV Mechelen and Zulte Waregem.
The transfer window in Belgium doesn’t close until Monday, 8 September, which hands Nsiala just four days to seal a much-needed move away from the Scottish Premiership.
After just one year at the club and just 17 games, the 21-year-old would be wise to complete a move away to get his career back on track. The last thing that he needs is to stay put and remain outside of Martin’s squad entirely, having so far failed to make a single appearance this season.
Ultimately, Nsiala looks destined to go down as another transfer that failed to work out from the Philippe Clement era. What was a defender full of promise is now one that Rangers must move on before the end of the window elsewhere.
