CHERMITI HAILS HIS CONNECTION WITH MARTIN

YOUSSEF Chermiti has suggested he already has a better relationship with his new manager than he did with any he worked with at Everton.

- By JOE THOMAS

The former Blues forward endured a torrid two years on Merseyside, failing to score a goal in a stint that was dogged by bad luck and injuries, and he insists he grew a lot while on Merseyside despite those setbacks.

But the 21-year-old added he had settled in well at new club Rangers and named Gers boss Russell Martin as a key factor in his integration at Ibrox.

Chermiti said: “I didn’t have the relationships with other managers as I do with Russell.

“At Sporting [where Everton bought him from in 2023], the manager was good to me but I was young and shy.

“Ifyou can speak freely to a manager it is a good thing. Ifyou are unhappy or need advice, that relationship is so important.”

Chermiti’s first 18 months at Everton were under Sean Dyche.