With the international break allowing for reflection, both for Rangers’ recruitment team and their players ahead of the summer transfer window, Vaclav Cerny has certainly done a lot of thinking over recent days.
While the Wolfsburg loanee’s agent feels an Ibrox departure is inevitable once his temporary contract comes to an end in June, the man himself is not quite so certain.
Vaclav Cerny would ideally like to stay at Rangers. Whether that is a realistic possibility, however, only time will tell. Cerny knew that he would have ‘other options’ if the numbers started to reflect his impact. With 17 goals now in a Rangers shirt, the 2024/25 campaign is already the most prolific of his career with two months still to go.
Though, with Wolfsburg holding out for around £7 million, that would eat up a colossal slice of Rangers’ summer budget, even if the San Francisco 49ers do manage to complete their purported takeover in time.
As for a player currently out on loan away from Rangers, Birmingham City should face a much easier decision over Kieran Dowell.
Rangers will not stand in Dowell’s way. Especially not with his contract running out in the summer of 2026. And Birmingham, with American investors of their own these days, are certainly not short of a bob or two.
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Birmingham City urged to keep Kieran Dowell as Lee Hendrie hails Rangers loanee
Dowell scored only two goals in a year-and-a-half at Rangers. He has exceeded that tally in only 11 League One outings south of the border.
Birmingham have also been on the losing side just once with the Everton academy graduate in their team too, Blues boss and former Celtic assistant Chris Davies feeling Dowell has ‘really added’ something in the final third.
Lee Hendrie, the Solihull-born ex-England international who represented Aston Villa on the other side of the Second City divide, feels signing Dowell would be a no-brainer presuming Birmingham avoid a collapse of epic promotions in the run-in.
Davies’ side went into the weekend 12 points clear at the summit.
“They’re coming out of League One into the Championship. They are going to need players like [Dowell], and I think that will be the key to their success,” Hendrie tells Football League World.
“If they can keep a good squad of players who can adapt and play in the Championship, I think he’s definitely one that you’d think that they would want to maybe keep on a permanent basis in the summer.”
Dowell’s vast Championship experience should be a Birmingham boost
Dowell joined Rangers on a free transfer from Norwich City in 2022. Having also represented Wigan Athletic, Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Sheffield United, the silky midfielder has 123 Championship appearances under his belt.
“Squad depth in the Championship is so key because of the relentless amount of games,” Hendrie adds. “And that has been proven in League One as well for them.
“I do feel that they should keep Dowell on a permanent. There’s still more to come from him, so keeping Dowell is a must.”
As for Cerny, his future far more uncertain right now, he can only wait and hope.
“I definitely [want to stay at Rangers,” he said. “But there are so many aspects that I can’t control. All I can do is be the best I can and keep up my form and numbers.
“There’s no time for that, we play every three days. I don’t have an option [to buy clause]. I don’t know what will happen.
“Rangers will be going through some changes in the summer, there’s talk of new owners buying a large percentage of the shares. But nothing is confirmed, it’s just being talked about and written about in the media.
“It wouldn’t be right to discuss something with someone who doesn’t know what will happen in two months. It’s too early for that.”
