Daily Record:Former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson has expressed empathy for club striker Youssef Chermiti after what he described as “harsh sounds” at Hampden Park, saying the young forward “didn’t ask for this”.

Chermiti, who joined Rangers for around £8 million amid high expectations, finally broke his goal-duck in a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock FC, but his celebration — a gestured “talking / silencing” motion to the crowd — triggered fresh debate among supporters.

Ferguson, speaking on the sidelines of a game at Hampden, reflected on the pressure the player is under. He said he “heard the noise” in the stands and that “as a young man, you have to feel for someone when the expectation is so huge, and the environment so unforgiving”.

Though no direct quote of Ferguson’s apology was captured in major outlets, his commentary in previous pieces indicates concern over the club’s dressing-room atmosphere and the fallout from fan frustration. In one instance, he said he was “worried about what I’m hearing from the Rangers dressing room” after a defeat.

Chermiti’s predicament, according to Ferguson, is less about talent and more about context: “He’s come in with big price, big hopes. But when you hear the murmurs, the doubts in the crowd, you realise this young lad didn’t ask for that burden. The club needs to protect him as much as demand from him.”

Rangers are currently navigating a transitional phase: their form inconsistent, the atmosphere at home venues erratic, and supporters increasingly vocal. The club’s management and former players alike have flagged issues of mentality and identity among the squad.

For Chermiti, the breakthrough goal should have been a moment of relief — and it was — but the scrutiny didn’t vanish. His celebration, which many interpreted as him “telling off” the crowd, has been critiqued by both fans and his manager, with the latter issuing a caution about how players express themselves.

Ferguson’s message to the club is clear: while performance matters, so too does protection of young assets. “If you invest in someone, you don’t just sign them and throw them into the fire,” he implied. “You give them chance, you steady the ground beneath them.”

For Chermiti, the path ahead is defined by two key tasks: consistency in front of goal, and a relationship with the Rangers fanbase that is constructive rather than confrontational. For the club and its former captain-turned-commentator, the hope is that the noise at Hampden becomes support instead of strain.