Youssef Chermiti scores stunning overhead kick to give Rangers perfect start in Old Firm derby - but Celtic salvage dramatic point
Youssef Chermiti wrote himself into Old Firm folklore with a stunning strike to break the deadlock for Rangers during Sunday afternoon's 2-2 draw against bitter rivals Celtic.
In a pivotal match near the top of the Scottish Premiership, Chermiti opened with one of the goals of the season on eight minutes.
With the hosts on the attack, the 21-year-old scored a sublime overhead kick from an Andreas Skov Olsen cross.
The effort was a thing of beauty and sparked mass pandemonium among the delighted Rangers support at Ibrox.
Just 16 minutes later, Chermiti had the home fans in raptures when he doubled the lead with a close-range finish.
Chermiti has previous of being Celtic's foe in the Old Firm derby, having scored twice Rangers' 3-1 win at Celtic Park on January 3.
Youssef Chermiti (centre) scored a sublime overhead kick to give Rangers the lead vs Celtic
Chermiti (obscured) was promptly mobbed by his team-mates as the home fans went wild too
The 21-year-old doubled Rangers' lead 16 minutes later with this close-range finish at Ibrox
However, his first-half brace wasn't enough for Rangers as Celtic battled back in the second half to earn a share of the spoils.
On 56 minutes Kieran Tierney's header pulled one back before late drama when the visitors were awarded a penalty when Daizen Maeda's header hits Dujon Sterling's arm on its way to goalkeeper Jack Butland.
At the third bite of the cherry, Reo Hatate equalised having seen his spot-kick and then rebound saved by Butland before finally scoring.
The draw doesn't help either side as they look to chase Scottish Premiership league leaders Hearts. Rangers sit six points behind the Edinburgh side in second place, while Celtic are eight points behind Hearts in third but have a game-in-hand on both of their title rivals.
Chermiti joined Rangers from Everton in a deal worth £10million on September 1, 2025.
It is understood Rangers paid an initial £8m for the striker, plus £2m in add-ons - with the fee the biggest paid by Rangers since signing Tore Andre Flo in 2000.
The Portugal Under-21 international signed a four-year deal at Rangers, two years after his £15m move from Sporting Lisbon to the Premier League.
He was well known by Ibrox sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who helped sign him for Everton. However, he was impacted by various injuries and made just 24 appearances for Everton without scoring.
His brace on Sunday took his total to nine goals in 31 appearances for the Scottish giants in all competitions.
