Kevin Thelwell breaks 25 year Rangers transfer rule to prove he's right as Everton insider busts Chermiti myth

Kevin Thelwell breaks 25 year Rangers transfer rule to prove he's right as Everton insider busts Chermiti myth

The Ibrox sporting director was the man who pushed the button when Everton splashed out £12million to sign when he was at the helm

Youssef Chermiti

Michael Ball has warned Kevin Thelwell he has put his Rangers reputation on the line with the megabucks signing of Youseff Chermiti.

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The Ibrox sporting director was the man who pushed the button when Everton splashed out £12million to sign the Portuguese Under-21 cap from Sporting Lisbon in 2023.

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And he’s just sanctioned another £8million splurge after giving the green light for Gers’ deadline-day swoop for the Toffees striker.

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The huge fee - which could hit eight figures with add ons - is the biggest sum the Light Blues have spent on a single player in a quarter of a century.

But it’s left puzzled fans wondering if recruiting a largely untested frontman with just three first-team goals to his name was the best way to spend the cash.

Now Ball - a former Everton and Rangers favourite - has warned Thelwell the move better work out for Russell Martin's team or he could find his already-shaky standing with the Ibrox support taking a fatal hit.

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The ex-England international told Record Sport: “I think Kev feels that he's got a point to prove that he was right with Chermiti.

“He feels that this is the type of player that the club needs - but yeah, he's put his reputation on the line with this one.

“From a fan's point of view, it's a big financial risk to spend so much money on one player.

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“So it’s down to the player to prove that point.

“If it all comes good, it's all nice and rosy for Kevin Thelwell.

“But if it turns sour, there's going to be a lot of fingers pointed in Kev’s direction.

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“But every decision in recruitment is like that. Signing players is one of the hardest things in football to get right.

“Not many teams do.

“Kevin has stuck his neck out and put his trust in Chermiti.

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“But he knows the player’s character, he knows what Scottish football is all about, so if he feels that Chermiti is ticking all the boxes and is exactly what Glasgow Rangers needs, good luck to him.”

Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell

Chermiti registered 25 appearances at Everton, but only two of them were starts.

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He failed to net a single goal during an injury-hit stint on Merseyside - but Ball has sympathy for the 21-year-old.

“To be fair to Youssef Chermiti, he hasn't played poorly - he just hasn't been given the opportunity to shine and to develop down here, which is really disappointing for his behalf," said the 2005 SPL winner.

“So I'm happy for him that he's got the move to Rangers, but now it's up to him to justify the faith that Kevin Thelwell has shown in him.

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"Kevin brought him to the football club as he felt he was going to be the future of Everton and the club’s No9.

“Rangers also have that big No9 culture so now he needs that chance to develop and show he understands how British football works.

“But there’s no doubt, he needs to step up to the plate and prove to the Rangers fans why Kevin Thelwell has twice signed him.

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“Obviously Kev sees something in Chermiti and feels he’s worth the amount of money Everton and now Rangers have paid for him.

“The fee - £8million - might not be very big down here but it's big for Glasgow Rangers and Scottish football right now, so the fans will want an immediate impact, and it's up to Youssef Chermiti to prove he’s worth it.”

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