Amid all the slights over the perceived weakness of the Scottish Premiership, it might have been a surprise to see an established international leave a major European league for a fresh start at Rangers.
Vaclav Cerny joined VFL Wolfsburg for around £7 million in the summer of 2023.
But after just one season in the German Bundesliga, Cerny needed little convincing to seize the chance to reunite with former FC Twente team-mates Robin Propper and Danilo at Ibrox when Rangers put a season-long loan deal on the table.
Now, speaking after a promising if mixed start to life in Scotland, the one-time Ajax starlet has offered the Gers supporters a glimpse behind the curtain.
Vaclav Cerny delighted to join Rangers on loan
“I wouldn’t say that leaving was inevitable, but it was my big wish,” Cerny tells Czech publication Idnes, explaining his reasoning for Wolfsburg for Philippe Clement’s Glasgow giants.
“I’m very happy that a club like Rangers got into negotiations. Then, everything went quickly. It was a clear choice for me.
“I’ve been asked a lot of those questions and I’d like to say that I don’t think the Scottish league stands out significantly (as worse than) other top European competitions.
“There are, of course, higher quality clubs as well as lower quality ones. But I think it’s no longer just about fighting. At least the best four teams also have great football quality.”
Cerny, who was once labelled a ‘special’ talent by former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, was part of the Wolfsburg team which finished 12th in the Bundesliga last term.
European football, therefore, would have been unattainable to the 26-year-old had he stuck around at the Volkswagen Arena.
And while Rangers might have been robbed of Champions League action by that scandalous Jefte red card against Dynamo Kyiv, Cerny still has Europa outings against the likes of Lyon, Tottenham Hotspur and Olympiakos to look forward to.
“I’m happy so far. I see the shift in the fact that I fought (to play in) European cups, which I would not have experienced in Wolfsburg,” adds Cerny. “So I’m satisfied.”
Winger could thrive alongside Danilo at Ibrox
That wonderful curling strike against Motherwell aside, Rangers fans are yet to really see the best of Cerny.
The 17-cap international struggled badly with the pace and the ferocity of Sunday’s Old Firm derby, though Clement will be hoping that the return of Danilo can bring the best out of the stylish left-footer.
Cerny struck up a ‘sensational’ partnership with Danilo during their time together at FC Twente in 2020/21.
“Danilo and Vaclav played together and had a great fit,” Twente boss Ron Jans tells The Herald, the former scoring a career-best 17 goals with Cerny supplying the ammunition. “The chemistry was really good.
“They scored so many goals in the first half of the season. It was sensational.
“As a young kid, he was seen as one of the biggest talents in Europe. Vaclav had real speed. His left foot is incredible and he works really hard as a player. He’s a real high-intensity player in transition and when pressing.
“Sometimes, he wants things to happen too quickly and needs to be relaxed in his head. But we all love watching football players who are doing something special.”
