Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti has been lauded for his overhead finish against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The Old Firm clash ended 2-2, but Chermiti’s performance and, in particular, one of his goals, have emerged as the main talking point in the aftermath of the game.
The Portuguese striker once again showed that he can step up the ante in the big games as he led by example at Ibrox.
Ross McCormack believes Youssef Chermiti’s goal was even better than Wayne Rooney’s
Wayne Rooney is known for scoring one of the greatest Premier League goals of all time against Manchester City.
It was an overhead kick in a derby game that led to Manchester United winning the game 2-1.
Ross McCormack has drawn parallels between Rooney’s and Chermiti’s finishes, but believes that the latter’s goal was better.
In his view, Rooney shinned the ball while putting it into the back of the net and did not make the best contact with it.
However, he believes Chermiti caught the ball perfectly and there was nobody who could stop the ball from heading into the goal.
McCormack told Open Goal: “The power he generated going away from goal, it is absolutely incredible.
“You think Rooney’s was amazing, right? Was in the top corner, but it’s hit his shin.
“He’s [Chermiti] caught that flush with his foot. What a finish.”
Chermiti’s performances for Rangers have put him in contention for the World Cup
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has name-dropped Chermiti, given his tremendous performances for Rangers.
Martinez will have a big decision to make ahead of the upcoming international break and then the World Cup to pick the players that will give him the best chance of winning the competition.
While international managers tend to have a bias towards certain players, the former Everton boss claims that he is keeping the door open for new players.
He has confirmed that Chermiti is one of the players on his radar, even though the 21-year-old is yet to make his international debut.
Martinez said: “It’s important to keep the door open to new talent in the national team.
“In that respect, we are looking at Francisco Conceicao, Rodrigo Mora and Fabio Silva.
“Youssef Chermiti at Rangers is another player who is doing well.
“Each player’s current form is important, but their contribution across a whole season should not be forgotten.
“The conditions are right for us to have a very good World Cup, but the preparations are so important.”
