Football Mar 18, 2026

Rangers: Kris Boyd worried Danny Röhl's side lack quality in attack ahead of Scottish Premiership title run-in

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Rangers: Kris Boyd worried Danny Röhl's side lack quality in attack ahead of Scottish Premiership title run-in

Kris Boyd says Rangers may not have the quality up front to win the Scottish Premiership title after Youssef Chermiti and Ryan Naderi came in for criticism after Sunday's win over St Mirren.

Chermiti, who was named player of the month for February, has scored eight of his nine goals this season against title challengers Hearts and Celtic, including an incredible bicycle kick in the Old Firm at the start of the month.

But he missed a gilt-edged chance inside the six-yard box against the Buddies as Rangers failed to kill the game off in their 1-0 win over the relegation strugglers.

Naderi, a January signing from Hansa Rostock, hit two goals against Championship side Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup last month but has failed to find the net in his other seven games.

Rangers did get in an enthralling title race but Your Site' Kris Boyd and James McFadden questioned whether Danny Röhl's decision to play with two strikers is helping or hindering his side.

"I'm not sure this does work," said Boyd. "There is a real lack of quality from Rangers in the forward areas. There is no connection up there right now. Both of them play as lone strikers.

"They don't have a striker or strikers in there demanding the ball is crossed from the wide areas and that feeds in to wingers being reluctant to put it in as there is no one in there.

"Naderi and Chermiti might run around - anyone can do that. I look at them and I don't see them bringing much else to the table."

He added: "You have got to have that little bit of quality and I don't see it. I don't see enough quality at that top end of the pitch that is going to drag Rangers to winning a title.

"There's no better feeling in the world than scoring goals on a regular basis and if you can do it to lead your team to a title... that is what's at stake for Rangers right now.

"I don't see anyone saying they are going to be the man to get that second or third goal to kill teams off. We have seen it in previous seasons; goal difference could play a huge part here.

"That was an opportunity for Rangers to go and get three or four goals and they didn't do it, and all of a sudden they are hanging on towards the end when something might happen. But I don't see that ruthlessness from Rangers strikers."

McFadden questioned if the two forwards had to alter their individual play to get the most out of the partnership, saying: "They don't play together - we are not seeing any signs of any link-up play.

"They both split to make runs down either channel instead of being in connection with each other, where if one goes you know you have the option to play it in behind or into feet and then everyone springs off of that. They are too far apart.

"They are playing as two strikers but just doing what each other wants to do for themselves rather than what is best for the partnership."

First it was Rangers, then it was Hearts, and... now?

Despite criticism for that Rangers frontline, Boyd - tongue firmly in cheek - decided to switch his title tip back to former club Rangers after the St Mirren game.

"When you look at Celtic, they have not been playing well but picking up results," he said. "Similar to Rangers in a way where they've had moments in games when you think there is something clicking, then all of a sudden there is a drop-off.

"It is just so tight. For Rangers, Rohl will know it has to be better but they managed to win the game away from home which is the first in four.

"Rangers now have two home games, they have an opportunity to go and get six points there, Celtic have two away games, Hearts are at home and away.

"Did I say Hearts last week? I'll go back to Rangers this week!"

McFadden was a little less forthcoming about his title pick, insisting that whichever team handled the pressure of the run-in best would lift the title in May.

"You'd be a fool to predict it; there will be so many twists and turns," he said. "Hearts have been incredible to stay top of the table for so long and week after week people have expected them to fall away.

"This is when the pressure is on every single team and whoever deals with the pressure is obviously going to come out on top.

"I think this will change; there will be different teams at the top of the table through the coming weeks."

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