Rangers won’t risk Vaclav Cerny for the Scottish Premiership visit of Hibs if it means the winger might miss the Europa League clash with Athletic Bilbao.
That’s according to Rangers coach Neil McCann, who was taking the pre-match press conference ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox.
McCann responded to Brendan Rodgers ‘disrespectful’ claims regarding Cerny ahead of the game and has been talking up Barry Ferguson’s managerial credentials.
But the former Rangers winger has also been discussing the state of play in the Rangers squad with injury updates on two players in particular.
Rangers won’t risk Vaclav Cerny v Hibs
Vaclav Cerny missed Rangers’ frenetic 4-3 comeback victory over Dundee and is a major doubt for the visit of Hibs to Ibrox.
McCann has confirmed that Cerny is set to return to Rangers training ahead of the match but for the time being it remains unclear if the Wolfsburg loanee will be involved against David Gray’s side.
“He’s still working with the medical department and he’ll join us tomorrow hopefully, but we’re still unsure whether he’ll make it or not,” McCann explained.
The Czech winger, 27, has been a key player in Glasgow’s southside this season and there is much conversation regarding a permanent Rangers move for Cerny this summer.
But before then the ex-Ajax and FC Twente star will play a key role in how this season ends at Ibrox, with Cerny set to be crucial if Rangers are to overcome Athletic Bilbao.
Cerny is Rangers’ top scorer in the Europa League this season with six goals, placing the winger third overall behind Bodo Glimt’s Kasper Hogh and Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi (both seven).
McCann has explained that whilst Rangers are ‘hopeful’ that Vaclav will be involved against Hibs, they will not be taking any risks with that Europa League quarter final looming large.
“He’s making really good progress so we’re hopeful that he’ll be involved on Saturday,” McCann said.
“We’ve got such big games coming up, Saturday is one of them, but as you know the European games are huge so we just have to be guided by him.
“We’ll push him as much as we can because he’s been really important for us, but we’ll take no risks if he’s not feeling 100%.”
Bailey Rice a Rangers injury doubt after Dundee showing
Vaclav Cerny is not the only Rangers player who is an injury doubt ahead of Hibs’ visit to Ibrox.
Neil McCann has explained that teenage midfielder Bailey Rice is also carrying a knock, with the midfielder playing through the pain barrier at Dens Park last week.
After Ian McCall criticised Rice’s contribution, McCann has been praising the midfielder for his commitment to the Rangers cause.
”Bailey Rice took a knock in the game at Dundee, but we showed a wee bit of guts and determination to stay on as we couldn’t make any more substitutes,” McCann said.
“I think he’s another one that’s making progress, he might have joined us today so we just need to find the medical team tomorrow morning.”
