Does Chermiti need partner to thrive at Rangers?

Do Youssef Chermiti's chances of being a success at Rangers rely on the striker playing in a front two?

Former Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday feels that could be the formula to get the best out of the big-money summer signing from Everton.

Despite netting a clinical double against Celtic for the second time this season in Sunday's Old Firm draw, including a stunning overhead kick, Halliday feels criticism about a lack of goals is fair.

Chermiti has shown up in the big games, scoring eight times against Celtic and Hearts, but he has just nine goals in 31 games across all competitions.

The 21-year-old's recent impressive showings against Rangers' title rivals have come with the striker playing alongside winter recruit Ryan Naderi.

"I think that's now the fourth game Rangers have played with two strikers," Halliday said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Chermiti's scored a hat-trick against Hearts and a double against Celtic, so I just feel like that burden is taken off him with a striker playing alongside him.

"He doesn't have to do so much running outside the box, so much link-up play outside the box and running channels.

"He can be a bit more of a predatory striker that's in the box and try to get on the end of things. And I think at this moment in time it looks like it's suited him a lot better."

Former Hearts man and current Motherwell midfielder Halliday added: "In terms of attributes, I think he's got pretty much everything. The one thing you could probably criticise him for, though, is obviously his lack of goals.

"There's been a lot of occasions in games that I don't think he's looked like scoring. I don't think he's been on the end of cross balls enough or had enough shots on goal."