Youssef was so good, Ruben wanted him for Sporting's first team... he has the profile to be a top striker in a tough league. I know he'll get better... even Ronaldo didn't score all his goals aged 21

Misfiring Ger's ex-coach sure £8m man will shine

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

FILIPE CELIKKAYA knows a talent when he sees it.

After all, while he was in charge of Sporting Lisbon’s B team and current Manchester United gaffer Ruben Amorim was head coach, they watched £200million-worth go out the door.

Their four years of developing some of the best young players in Europe is still reaping rewards for the Portuguese club.

But, alongside the likes of West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, soon-to-be Chelsea ace Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo - who is already at the English Premier League side - is Youssef Chermiti.

The Rangers striker came through at Sporting under Celikkaya’s guidance before being promoted by Amorim to the Primeira Liga club's first team.

And, without even getting close to fulfilling his potential in Lisbon, Chermiti was soon snapped up by Everton for around £15million.

Now, he’s at Ibrox. And the 21-year-old is quickly finding out the pressure and scrutiny he’s under in Glasgow is far more intense than anything he might have encountered in Portugal.

With just one goal so far to justify his £8m price tag, Light Blues fans are already getting on Chermiti’s back after a run of indifferent performances.

Questions are being asked of sporting director Kevin Thelwell ~ the man who took him to the Toffees then signed him for Gers.

Some supporters have already decided Chermiti shouldn't be part of new boss Danny Rohl's plans going forward.

But Celikkaya has urged those disgruntled fans to show patience.

The 40-year-old coach, who is now assistant manager at MLS outfit Chicago Fire, rates Chermiti as one of Europe’s top talents.

He hailed his “unique profile” and revealed Old Trafford boss Amorim thought highly of the young frontman.

He even cited the example of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as someone who wasn't a prolific scorer in his early days.