A night that was supposed to mark a fresh start for Rangers instead exposed how raw and fragile the club’s situation remains. Danny Röhl — newly appointed and still bedding in — watched on as his team were thumped 3–0 by SK Brann in a Europa League group fixture, a result that has intensified questions about recruitment, selection and playing standards. In the immediate aftermath, pundit Michael Stewart — a polarising voice in Scottish football circles — joined the chorus of critics and, according to widespread social reaction and press chatter, singled out two summer signings, Youssef Chermiti and Oliver Antman, as players he believes the new head coach should consider “axing” in January.
Below I unpack the context of Stewart’s call, examine the evidence behind it, look at the players in question and outline the practical and reputational consequences for Rangers if the club starts trimming its squad midseason.
The match that lit the fuse
Röhl’s first match in charge became a headline for all the wrong reasons. Brann — a side from Norway that many neutrals might have expected to be the underdog — cut Rangers open with a mix of opportunism and sloppy defending. The second Brann goal, notably, stemmed from poor control and a misplaced touch by Oliver Antman, an error that preceded a set-piece finish and changed the game’s tenor. The final scoreline of 3–0 leaves Rangers with a worrying picture in European competition and piles pressure on a coach, recruitment team and playing group that still need time to gel.
The defeat also sharpened debate over last summer’s business. Youssef Chermiti, who arrived amid some expectation and a transfer fee reported in the millions, has struggled to make the expected impact, with analysts noting his limited returns in front of goal since signing. That broader narrative — expensive signings not producing — has made anyone associated with expensive midfielder/forward acquisitions an easy target for pundits and fans alike.
Who is Michael Stewart and why do his words matter?
Michael Stewart is a well-known former professional in Scottish football who has transitioned into punditry and broadcasting. He’s gained a reputation for forthright analysis that often divides opinion among supporters — praised for straight talk by some, disliked by others who perceive bias or provocative takes. When someone with Stewart’s profile publicly suggests drastic action, it matters because his commentary often reverberates across social media and in the local press, amplifying fan ire and increasing scrutiny on managerial decisions.
It’s important to flag that pundits do not run football clubs. Their influence is cultural rather than institutional: they can shape narratives, fan sentiment and media agendas, but they cannot directly dictate transfers or contracts. Still, a consistent, high-volume criticism from recognised voices can accelerate calls for action from sections of a fanbase or even put uncomfortable public pressure on directors and owners.
Chermiti and Antman — are Stewart’s targets justified?
Youssef Chermiti
Chermiti was a summer signing who arrived with a reputation as a forward who could offer different attacking dimensions. But the statistics and match reports so far point to underwhelming returns: limited goals, few decisive contributions, and the occasional cameo without tangible influence on results. In a squad still finding its identity, a striker who does not score regularly becomes an easy scapegoat — particularly if the recruitment fee pushes expectations higher. Sports outlets and club observers have already questioned whether the recruitment strategy that brought Chermiti in has delivered value for money.
That said, axe-talk in January is rarely a straight decision. Clubs weigh contract lengths, wages, market opportunities and the risk of offloading a player who could still flourish under a settled system. If Chermiti has underlying issues — confidence, adaptation to a new league, tactical fit — the smart move might be to adjust his role rather than sever ties outright.
Oliver Antman
Antman’s error in the Brann match — a loose touch leading to a dangerous free kick and the second goal — was textbook fodder for critics. On raw moments of match-turning indiscipline, pundits and fans often demand immediate consequences, and Stewart’s name-checking of Antman reflects that pressure cooker. Yet Antman is a young player whose record before this fixture includes attractive potential and prior spells in continental leagues where he showed promise.
Context matters: a single mistake seldom tells the full story. Defence of younger signings usually argues that tactical clarity and coaching can reduce such errors. Conversely, recurrent high-profile lapses would strengthen a case for trimming the squad.
Tactical and squad-management realities for Danny Röhl
For a manager newly in post, the immediate toolbox is limited. January transfers can address evident weaknesses, but midseason shopping is expensive, risky and often yields mixed results. Röhl must first prioritise stabilising selection patterns, clarifying roles (who presses, who holds the width, who finishes) and improving communication between recruitment and coaching staff to ensure purchases fit the system rather than vice versa. Several outlets covering Röhl’s arrival emphasised the short window he has to make an impression and the difficult squad he inherits — 12 new faces last summer, many still integrating.
If Röhl does decide to sanction departures in January, he’ll need buy-in from those who signed the players and a replacement plan. For example: is Chermiti being replaced with a like-for-like striker, or does the squad need a different profile entirely? Contracts, agent relationships and the transfer market’s realities will all shape decisions.
Pressure on the board and recruitment team
Stewart’s comments are also an indictment — indirect or direct — of the recruitment team. When expensive signings underperform, the blame often lands not just on individuals but on those who identified and bought them. That can lead to an internal review, calls for accountability and, in extreme scenarios, changes in sporting directors or recruitment directors. Indeed, several commentators and fans have used recent results to press for transparency about how players were scouted and why certain deals were prioritised.
Fan reaction and the media ecosystem
Social media amplified Stewart’s perspective instantly. Sections of the Rangers support, already frustrated by the club’s European position and inconsistent domestic form, embraced the simplicity of cutting underperforming players as a quick fix. Others pushed back, urging patience and arguing that sacking or selling midseason would be knee-jerk and potentially harmful. The upshot: the narrative will continue to simmer, and unless on-field performances improve fast, pundits like Stewart will find an audience for increasingly stark prescriptions.
What might be the pragmatic next steps?
- Short-term: Röhl should focus on immediate tactical corrections — tightening set-piece routines, simplifying build-up, and restoring defensive organisation — areas that the Brann game exposed. Quick, visible improvements are the best way to dampen pundit and fan fury.
- Medium-term: The coaching team should assess Chermiti and Antman candidly: minutes, training metrics, psychological readiness and positional fit. If there’s an identifiable path back to productivity, provide it; if not, consider loaning players to rebuild value rather than selling cheaply.
- Board-level: The sporting director should prepare a report on last season’s recruitment outcomes, showing rationale and KPIs, to explain decisions and placate stakeholders. Transparency can reduce the fevered speculation that pundits amplify.
Final verdict
Pundits like Michael Stewart perform a social function: they catalyse debate, crystallise fan sentiment and, at moments like these, name the easy targets. Whether Chermiti or Antman should be “axed” is less a black-or-white question and much more about risk appetite, contractual constraints and long-term vision. The brunt of responsibility will fall to Danny Röhl and the sporting directors: they must respond with smart, measured actions rather than reactionary moves.
If Rangers are to climb out of this hole, the quickest route is stabilisation on the pitch. That will quiet pundits, soothe supporters and, if necessary, create a calmer environment for any rational squad adjustments in January. Until then, expect the pundit class — Stewart included — to keep the pressure turned up.
