Stuck between Rangers and Wolfsburg, with his future very much up in the air, Vaclav Cerny is understandably keen to keep all his options open.
A revelation in Scotland since he arrived on loan from the Bundesliga outfit last summer, in an ideal world Rangers would tie down the Czech Republic international without thinking twice.
But, as Philippe Clement explained back in December, this is far easier said than done.
Because, while Vaclav Cerny ‘loves’ life in Glasgow – to quote his manager – Rangers ‘do not have the money’ to turn his loan deal into a permanent transfer right now. Clement admitted that the Scottish Premiership giants could suffer a repeat of the Abdallah Sima situation, with another free-scoring attacker leaving due to the costs involved in pursuing a full-time contract.
Cerny has been speaking to the media back home this month. In conversation with Sezman Zpravy, the former Ajax youngster admits that any decision over his future is likely to be made towards the end of the current campaign.
And while Cerny appears open to extending his stay in Scotland, he knows that a flurry of goals and assists will also attract attention from more high-profile leagues across the continent.
Cerny has already been linked with La Liga outfit Villarreal, for instance.
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Vaclav Cerny opens up on Rangers future amid Wolfsburg uncertainty
“I’m playing a season without an option [to buy clause],” Cerny explains. “I’m enjoying it here extremely. I don’t want to think about what will happen. There will be time for that towards the end of the season, when things start to settle down.
“After this season, I have a two-year contract at Wolfsburg. If the tug-of-war starts then, it’s no longer in my hands.
“It’s in my hands if I score 20 goals [and] assist another 20. Then, other options will open up.”
Cerny does label Rangers ‘ an even bigger club than Wolfsburg’. But what Clement’s team have in terms of history, they lack on the financial side of things.
Should Wolfsburg look to recoup every penny of their £7 million investment, that would eat up a substantial portion of the club’s summer budget.
“I wanted to show my quality at an even bigger club than Wolfsburg. It’s going well at the moment,” adds Cerny, currently joint-third in the Premiership Golden Boot race with seven goals.
“I know how football works and, that it can then turn into a positive light if the season goes as expected. I know what the situation is at Rangers, what the possibilities are. But it’s not up to me to comment on that so soon. I just have to give my best on the pitch and help the club to achieve success.
“I’m just focused on football, family and life in Glasgow, which is hectic in itself. I wouldn’t want to waste my time thinking about something I can’t control anyway,” Cerny explains, his family likely to play a major role in any decision he eventually makes.
“I try to create a family environment that makes us all happy. We have a beautiful home. Our daily routine is simple – everything revolves around the little one. We go for walks in the park and I try to enjoy our daughter’s first year.”
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Cerny rules out Czech Republic return as Rangers weigh up options
One thing Rangers do not have to worry about, however, is Cerny pursuing a return to his native Czech Republic.
He left FK Pribram for Ajax all the way back in 2013. But the one time FC Twente ace – Cerny convinced former Eredivisie teammate Robin Propper to join Rangers over the summer while he also knows Danilo from his time in Enschede – has no interest in heading back to his homeland while there is still offers on the table from elsewhere.
“[A return to the Czech Republic] is not in the plans yet,” Cerny adds. “I am 27 [years old], but in football you never know what will happen. All options have to be open. Anything can happen in every transfer window.
“I am no longer thinking only about myself, but also about my family. I will see how things go in terms of football. I would still like to continue abroad.”
A potential replacement for Cerny may already be in the sights at Ibrox. Rangers are reportedly keen on Arif Aiman Hanapi of Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim.
