Great institutions are not defined only by the silver they polish, but by the resolve they show when tested. Legacy is built in moments of pressure, when temptation whispers and ambition must decide whether to protect today or gamble for tomorrow. In cities where pride flows through generations, loyalty is more than sentiment — it is a principle, guarded fiercely and defended without apology.
There is a certain electricity that surrounds places steeped in tradition. The walls seem to remember. The stands seem to breathe. Every decision made within such arenas carries echoes of the past and expectations for the future. Supporters do not merely watch; they inherit a story, one written by those who came before and entrusted to those who stand there now.
At Ibrox, that story is being fiercely protected.
Rangers have rejected a combined £23 million in bids for attacking duo Youssef Chermiti and Djeidi Gassama in the last 24 hours, sending a powerful message that this is not a squad to be dismantled in the middle of a title fight. With the Scottish Premiership race tightening and belief surging through the blue half of Glasgow, the club’s leadership has chosen defiance over profit.
Monaco’s proposal for Gassama — a loan with an obligation to buy worth over £10 million — was swiftly turned away. The young winger, signed for just £2.5 million from Sheffield Wednesday last summer, has blossomed into a dynamic presence in Rangers’ attack, contributing seven goals and injecting pace, flair, and fearlessness into Danny Rohl’s system. At 22, he represents not just present impact, but future promise — and Rangers have no intention of letting that slip away.
Chermiti’s situation tells a similar story. Fenerbahce tabled a £13 million bid for the 21-year-old striker, hoping to lure him away after flashes of brilliance that have electrified the Ibrox faithful. Signed from Everton for £8 million, Chermiti’s development has been rapid, highlighted by a thunderous Old Firm derby brace at Parkhead that etched his name into Rangers folklore far earlier than anyone expected.
Though his goal tally has not yet exploded, the trajectory is unmistakable — and Rangers see a forward on the rise, not a player to cash in on.
“We are building something that demands belief, not shortcuts,” a source close to the club’s recruitment strategy said.
That belief is rooted in the bigger picture unfolding under Danny Rohl. Rangers have surged back into the title conversation, trimming the gap to league leaders Hearts to just four points, with Celtic only slightly further back. Momentum is building, confidence is swelling, and the dressing room unity forged in recent months is viewed as priceless.
Selling key attackers now would not simply weaken the squad — it would fracture rhythm at the most delicate stage of the season.
Instead, Rangers are pushing forward with plans to strengthen, not shrink. The club remain determined to land a new striker capable of adding a different dimension to their frontline, with Hansa Rostock’s towering forward Ryan Naderi firmly in their sights. The 6ft 4in 22-year-old is seen as the kind of physical, relentless presence who could thrive in the intensity of Scottish football.
An initial €3 million bid has already been rejected by Rostock, who are holding out for closer to €6 million. Yet optimism remains that a compromise can be reached before the window closes, as Rohl looks to add firepower without sacrificing the foundations already laid.
“This club has always been built on strength and unity,” another insider noted. “When the pressure rises, Rangers do not retreat — they reinforce.”
By standing firm over Chermiti and Gassama, Rangers are sending a message to their players, their rivals, and their supporters: the mission is bigger than the money. Stability, belief, and shared purpose are being valued above quick returns.
For fans, that stance resonates deeply. Rangers’ history is one of resilience, dominance, and refusal to bend when stakes are highest. Nights under the Ibrox lights have always demanded courage, and this January is proving no different.
The message from within is clear. Rangers are not preparing for next season. They are fighting for this one.
And they are doing it together.
