Rangers went into the international break on the back of a comfortable win over St Johnstone although Philippe Clement still has plenty to work on over the next two weeks.
The manager wasn’t happy with his side’s performance against the Perth outfit and will be hoping to be the changes necessary to see the tempo that he wants on the other side of the domestic football hiatus.
One individual, who probably wishes that he wasn’t heading off on international duty, is Vaclav Cerny, who was Rangers star man at Ibrox.
Vaclav Cerny happy with Rangers backing from manager
The Czechia winger put in the sort of display that Clement will be wanting to see more of when he returns to the club as an experienced operator at the highest level.
Cerny might only have signed on loan from Wolsfburg, but the Gers boss is looking after the 26-year old as if he is one of his own, as told to Rangers TV:
“The manager has been great with me. He has been amazing, especially for the past week.
“I was struggling with my goal contributions, but I appreciated the talks we had and the trust he has in me. It means a lot to me.
“I want to repay him for that.
“I have had ups and downs but that is pretty normal. I want to do everything in every game the best I can.
“Not every time you get the result you want, but the most important thing is we stick together. I think we are showing that.
“I knew coming here there was a demand. At the clubs I have played at before, it was no different to Rangers.
“It is supposed to be this way, the demands on everyone that we do well. That is more than normal but we have to accept that and embrace it.”
Clement shows that Rangers have the right man at the helm
When Cerny scored the opening goal, after celebrating with teammates, he went over to Clement in what looked like a show of recognition, that the winger was thanking the manager for sticking by him.
If fans picked the starting XI every week, it would consist mainly of academy players if those that made mistakes were cast aside at the first hint of a poor display.
Clement though, knows that there is a player in Cerny and that it is a long season.
As his most experienced winger, the Gers gaffer needs Cerny to be at his best, producing goals and assists.
Three goals and one assist in 382 league minutes so far is a solid return and it will be hoped that his recent slump and frustration with the fans was only a glitch.
Having a manager who backs his players and puts confidence in them instead of just writing them off, is exactly what Rangers need with a younger, inexperienced squad.
Young players can be consistent, but Rangers need the right man in charge to support them which Clement clearly is.
