Retour
Ex-Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny returned to Glasgow to take on Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Czechia international, now on the books at Besiktas, was handed a start by manager Vincenzo Italiano.
Cerny ended up on the losing side as the Hoops secured a 3-2 victory despite some struggles at Parkhead.
It took around five minutes for Cerny to have his first touch in the game, and it was clear to everyone who was on the ball. Celtic fans made their opinion clear about the 29-year-old as loud boos echoed each time he touched the ball.
He was taken off in the 83rd minute for Ilhan Fakili, and was jeered by the home fans. It was not the best of returns to Scotland for the former Gers loanee, it must be said.
Cerny kept slowing down attacks and was not tidy in possession, misplacing a number of his passes. Off the ball too, he was proving to be a liability, and many Besiktas fans online wanted him taken off sooner than he actually was.
Cerny was considered by Rangers throughout the summer transfer window as Derek McInnes eyed reinforcements in the wide areas. Besiktas were open to a deal, but the Light Blues never made serious contact with either the club or the player for a transfer.
At the same time, multiple wingers were considered, and Fares Ghedjemis emerged as a priority target. Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry was also liked by Rangers, but neither of them joined.
Finally, the Gers did sign Badredine Bouanani, Daisuke Yokota and Minsu Kim, and have Djeidi Gassama and Findlay Curtis to compete for the winger roles. So, a January pursuit of the Czechia winger is not on the cards.
Rangers News understands that Cerny is still admired by people at Ibrox, so it’s hard to rule out some level of interest next summer. The 29-year-old is dealing with his own issues in Turkey, so he may want an exit at the end of the season.