Youssef Chermiti was the hero as Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox on Sunday, but Michael Stewart still doesn’t believe he has what it takes to be a top striker.

Chermiti scored a hat-trick, with Danny Rohl’s side moving within two points of the league leaders as the Scottish Premiership title race continues to deliver.

A frenetic first half ended 2-2, with Hearts twice going ahead through Marc Leonard and Claudio Braga, but the Gers hit back, with Michael Steinwender scoring an own goal and Chermiti grabbing his first.

Rangers then hit the front just before the hour mark as Chermiti headed home, and the 21-year-old sealed all three points in the final minute of the 90.

‘Unpredictable’ Chermiti doesn’t have what it takes

Before his hat-trick, Chermiti had scored just four times for Rangers since his summer move from Everton.

The Portuguese striker has consistently turned up in the big games, though, with six of his seven goals this season coming against either Hearts or Celtic.

He once again stepped up when the Gers needed him most on Sunday, as his goalscoring exploits helped turn the match on its head.

However, former Scotland international Stewart is still not convinced that Chermiti has what it takes to become a top striker.

Speaking on BBC Sportscene, the ex-Hearts and Hibernian man highlighted the centre-forward’s all-round game.

When asked if Chermiti has the potential to be a top striker, Stewart said: “No, I don’t. I mean, look, he scored a hat-trick today, which is wonderful for Rangers, and for him.

“His all-round game is just a little bit slack. His touch, at times, is very unpredictable.

“The short answer is no, but it’s very difficult to articulate that when he’s scored a hat-trick against Hearts in a top of the table clash.”

Chermiti shows flashes of brilliance

Despite Stewart’s worries about the rest of his game, Chermiti showed on Sunday that, when on form, he can be unstoppable in front of goal.

As seen in the Sofascore graphic below, the former Everton man managed seven shots against Hearts, as he consistently put Derek McInnes’ side under pressure.

Up against Stewart Findlay and Craig Halkett, Chermiti won 14 duels across the course of the 90 minutes, as well as creating one big chance.

There’s no doubt that he needs to find some consistency as the title race heats up, but the summer signing showed exactly what he is capable of with his hat-trick against Hearts.

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