120 gruelling minutes against Fenerbahce in the Europa League last-16 was not exactly ideal preparation for Barry Ferguson’s first Old Firm derby clash in charge when Rangers visit Celtic on Sunday.
How fit will Ferguson’s key men be? One thing is for certain, Celtic will be intense and aggressive from the get-go.
Rangers would have faced a difficult task coping with it anyway, so an extra half an hour in the most emotion-sapping encounter since the League Cup final in December certainly could have come at a better time.
Then again, on the other side of the coin, perhaps the pure jubilation of that penalty shoot-out triumph will power Rangers through at Celtic Park.
Barry Ferguson confirmed there are ‘no major issues’ in the Rangers camp during his discussion with the media on Friday. And that includes Vaclav Cerny.
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Barry Ferguson says Rangers star Vaclav Cerny fit to face Celtic
The winger suffered with a touch of cramp against Fenerbahce but he will be good to go on Sunday as he looks to take his tally of goals in a Rangers jersey to 18.
“I thought [Vaclav] cramped and he was gone and then I got the message that was the case. I’ve seen him getting rubbed on the pitch,” Ferguson said, Cerny’s determination to play through the pain barrier denying Danilo the chance to be the hero off the bench. “But, his attitude was ‘No, I’m not coming off’.
“He’s been a really dangerous player for me, Vaclav. So he was good to go and it was the right decision because he scored a penalty in the shoot-out. Listen, there was an incident that a player wasn’t happy [Danilo] and I would rather my players be like that.
“That’s a wee bit of anger. That’s what I have to see. Don’t be happy if you’re not playing.
“That’s just the way football operates. You know, it’s like it was chaos at that time. We’re going into the final 15 minutes of extra time. But listen, [Cerny] managed to get through that and obviously, slotted a penalty home.
“Oh, Vaclav will not be tired [for Celtic]. He’s been told that. It’s all in the mind.”
Jose Mourinho admitted that Cerny caused his Fenerbahce side problems in the last-16, particularly during the first leg.
Ferguson’s shift to a 3-4-2-1 system allowed the former Ajax starlet the freedom to drive through the centre of the pitch and get shots off. Cerny scored twice in Istanbul and then mustered the most attempts on goal – 18 – of any Rangers player in the return leg a week later.
Cerny likely to leave Rangers as his agent confirms interest
In fact, Fenerbahce have even been urged to sign Vaclav Cerny in the aftermath. His future is uncertain at present with agent David Nehoda indicating that Cerny’s time in Scotland is set to come to an end.
“I can’t say what will happen next, but I don’t think it’s very realistic for him to stay at Rangers,” Nehoda explains. “His contract at Wolfsburg ends in the summer of 2027. So, I would assume that the club will want to recall him, or there will be interested parties who would like to buy him.
“There is already interest from France and Italy. I know Vaclav’s ambitions; To return to one of the top five leagues in Europe.
“Everything has worked out beautifully for him since his loan spell,” Nehoda adds. “In the Europa League, Vaclav has shown what an exceptional player he is. At Rangers, his coaches and teammates trust him, the fans applaud him and he has a great family background.
“He is calm and everything is reflected in his well-being and performances. The style in which Rangers play is tailor-made for him. That’s exactly how he likes it.”
