Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny has probably been Rangers’ stand out performer this season.
Whilst the Czech Republic international might only be at Ibrox for one year, Rangers fans have gotten used to this sensation.
Vaclav Cerny is just one of a number of Ibrox loanees who’ve stolen Rangers hearts in recent seasons before being shipped out into the great unknown.
Abdallah Sima was a stand-out performer last season, Malik Tillman the campaign before that. Heck, even Fabio Silva and Amad Diallo deserve honourable mentions.
After Cerny upset the entire Celtic fanbase last week without even kicking a ball however, he probably trumps the lot.
With Rangers on the verge of a US takeover and the club expected to go through a period of spending as they restructure, suddenly there is cause for optimism with this latest loan Ranger.
But just as Cerny shines on the Czechia stage, one former Rangers striker reckons that 49ers Enterprises might well be hesitant to a permanent deal.
‘Blanket 49ers policy’ could see Rangers Vaclav Cerny snub
Vaclav Cerny joined Rangers on a season-long loan deal from Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg in the summer.
The Czech international had experienced a challenging first season in Germany after coming through the youth ranks at Ajax and impressing with FC Twente.
But after Wolfsburg signed Andreas Skov Olsen in the winter window, the arrival of another left-footed right winger appears to have spelled the end for Vaclav in Lower Saxony.
Rangers News exclusively revealed earlier in the month that Rangers are interested in signing Cerny permanently with that US takeover set to boost the club’s transfer ambitions.
The winger’s impressive return of 17 goals and seven assists is enough to have Rangers convinced, with an away day double against Fenerbahce helping to send the Gers to the Europa League quarter-finals.
But with Cerny – who is the ripe old age of 27 – not exactly fitting the bill of buy low (and young) and sell high (and mid-20s), Rory Loy believes that the club’s new US owners might see better value elsewhere.
Speaking to the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, Loy explained: “I think the age Cerny’s at, a lot of these takeovers, they come in, they identify young players they can sell on.
”They’re there to make money at the end of the day.
”They often have blanket polices where they don’t sign players over a certain age for £5.5m or £6m because they’re more interested in making money.
”Obviously on-field success is important but a lot of these companies come in and go ‘we’re not going to sell him on for more money than that in three years time so we’re not doing it’.”
Scottish outlets clash on Vaclav Cerny loan option
Vaclav Cerny’s loan status at Rangers has also been the subject of conflicting reports.
Whilst reports in German outlet Kicker have suggested Wolfsburg want at least £8m for the Czech international – a fee initially believed to be too rich for Rangers – one outlet in Scotland has a different take.
The Daily Record have made headlines by claiming that Rangers boast a £5.5m Cerny option, a very affordable sum by anyone’s standards.
But this was almost immediately shot down by the Rangers Review, who suggested Rangers don’t have an option on Cerny but do have an interest in signing the winger permanently.
There is catch however; so do a number of clubs around Europe. That’s what happens when you are routinely scoring for club and country.
Premier League outfit West Ham have been mentioned, as have La Liga team Villarreal.
Whilst Cerny has made it clear he’d consider Rangers, the player’s agent has also suggested that a permanent switch to Ibrox is ‘unrealistic’.
David Nehoda reckons Cerny won’t move to Rangers with interest in the winger in France and Italy.
“I can’t say what will happen next, but I don’t think it’s very realistic for him to stay at Rangers,” said the player’s representative.
“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.“
