Ibrox View: Rangers star with an incredible international break, ranked higher than an Arsenal forward

Rangers new signing Vaclav Cerny grabbed an assist in a 3-2 win over Ukraine on Tuesday (10 September).

Cerny has shown promise in his opening few games at Ibrox, and will be hopeful over carrying his international form into the next stage of the season.

The 26-year-old has already managed a goal and an assist in the Scottish Premiership this campaign and Rangers fans will be hoping he can be on form for the next match against Dundee United.

Will Cerny help achieve Rangers’ goals?

The Czech winger has been a welcome signing in Scotland so far, and has shown he has the ability to help Rangers this season, with his contributions in his first four league games.

Cerny averages 2.21 progressive carries, and 1.17 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, making him a solid threat to opposition defenders, according to FBRef.

On top of that, the loanee ranks higher than Premier League stars, Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, in both offensive and defensive actions per 90, which is why he is a solid acquisition for manager Phillipe Clement.

His fellow national teammates are no pushovers either, with Cerny starting ahead of Adam Hlozek who was part of the invincible Bayer Leverkusen side who won two trophies in Germany last season.

If Rangers are able to keep the forward fit for the remainder of his loan spell, he could help guide them back to the top of Scottish football, especially after their poor start to the campaign.

Alistair Johnston makes Canadian podcast appearance and reveals how Celtic have blown him away

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston has made as impressive a start to the 2024/25 season as anyone in green and white, starting all five matches. He’s registered a goal and assist along the way, and he’s also been important to four successive clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership.

Like many of his colleagues, the Canadian is kicking on to new heights under manager Brendan Rodgers and seems set to take his game on to a greater platform in the UEFA Champions League.

He plays like he’s a veteran of Celtic and Scottish football but surprisingly he’s been at the club for less than two years, savouring every moment since arriving in the January 2023 transfer window. It’s evident how much he loves the Celtic experience, from playing in front of such passionate supporters to the pressures of winning every week and always bettering himself as an athlete.

Alistair Johnston likes playing for Celtic

He isn’t bashful in the media and his latest podcast appearance on international duty with Canada is another indication of how great an impact life in Glasgow is having on him. Johnston spoke poetic about all facets of Celtic and what he appreciates most about representing the Scottish champions.

He told Footy Prime: “Obviously I knew how big of a club it was but when you touchdown there – I just signed, I literally got off the plane and I hadn’t even kicked a ball yet, but they were all coming up to me.

“Once I got to the training facility, I saw the levels. I think that’s the biggest thing I really enjoy – we’re all competitors, we want to see what the highest level is we can get to. You want to be around the best players, you want to be around the best coaches – that was something I got as soon as I got through that door.

“MLS is a little different with the salary cap and all of the different permutations and rules. It’s difficult to have one through 30 all being top, top players – versus at Celtic I was like ‘Man, that guy isn’t even making our squads and he’s a full international for a European country’.”

Celtic coaching ‘unbelievable’ for players

The right-back continued: “It’s going to be competitive and you need to be on it every single day. The coaching is unbelievable. I’ve been lucky enough to have Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.

“It’s top, top stuff. You’re learning, you’re pushing yourself and you’re seeing what level it is I can reach. What is my full potential? That’s something that, deep down, every single athlete wants.

“As soon as I walked in the door and got a couple of training sessions under my belt I knew this is exactly where I want to be and exactly where I need to be. And once you get out there and start playing, you realise, ‘I’m not going to give up my starting spot, I will fight through every injury, whatever it takes, I need to be out there playing’.”

The entire interview is well worth a watch. Johnston comes across superbly and as if he wants to represent Celtic for years further – which we all hope he does of course.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a big leader in that dressing room and will help set the tone for further success to come. Long may it continue.

‘Hurt’ – Barry Ferguson reacts to what he watched Rangers do in Directors’ Box vs Celtic

Barry Ferguson was left “hurt and disappointed” as Rangers were condemned to a 3-0 defeat by Celtic on Sunday (1 September).

Despite a positive start to the match, and escaping going a goal down thanks to an offside check, Daizen Maeda eventually hit the back of the net after 17 minutes.

Kyogo Furuhashi doubled the Hoops’ lead just shy of half-time before Callum McGregor rounded off the victory in front of the Celtic Park crowd while the Gers fans could only watch on from home.

Writing via the Daily Record on Tuesday (3 September), Ferguson said: “I’m not going to lie. This one hurts. Maybe it was because I was there to watch it with my own eyes, sitting in the directors’ box at Parkhead.

“Perhaps it was the joy on the faces of the Celtic fans when they were doing their wee huddle dance and laughing in my face when their team was 3-0 up. It was interesting, let’s just leave it at that.

“But mainly, the hurt and disappointment I’ve been left nursing was caused by a Rangers performance which was simply not good enough on derby day in Glasgow’s east end. To be honest, I’ve still got an empty feeling inside more than 24 hours later and that’s not like me.”

Rangers fans disappointed by Old Firm result v Celtic

The passionate fans at Ibrox have every right to be disappointed by the result, voicing their concerns about Philippe Clement and the state of the behind-the-scenes happenings with the board.

There is a clear gulf between the two rivals, which was especially relevant during the summer transfer window as Brenden Rodgers was able to splash millions on new signings.

At the same time, Clement and Nils Koppen were tied to a shoestring budget, having to search for alternative options, including free agents.

With only four matches of the new Scottish Premiership campaign played so far, there is plenty of time for Clement to turn things around, but with a new-found pressure at the helm, he may not have as much time as he thinks.

The Belgian must do something he has been unable to do during his tenure so far – beat Celtic. The league title is there for the Gers to take, but they must defeat their Old Firm rivals to claim it.

Rangers star is accused by Keith Jackson of “throwing in the towel” against Celtic

Following Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Celtic, Rangers captain James Tavernier was accused by Keith Jackson of “throwing in the towel” (1 September).

With all the pressure Philippe Clement is already under at Ibrox, the defeat to Celtic, their Old Firm rivals, will not help him at all.

Tavernier, who was rumoured to be leaving Ibrox during the summer transfer window, has been praised for his play and has managed to hold onto his position this year.

“The truth is – as unpalatable as it may be for them to swallow – is that these fans are now on the point of throwing in the towel, in the same way, that captain Tavernier did yesterday afternoon while his team was being taken apart by the neighbours,” Jackson wrote in a piece published by the Daily Record on Monday, September 2.

After Rangers vs. Celtic, James Tavernier bears the majority of the blame.

Tavernier shouldn’t mind being singled out by the media and supporters because he is the club captain.

After switching from Wigan to the Gers in the summer of 2015, the 32-year-old has committed nearly ten years of his life to the team, but it appears that his time there is running out.

Many supporters thought the right-back would be leaving Ibrox this summer after clubs approached him, but he is still a member of Clement’s starting lineup.

Fans are frustrated by Dujon Sterling’s involvement because they feel that he should be playing midfield to gain experience rather than starting at full-back.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement

Although Tavernier has received harsh criticism for yet another appalling performance, the manager ought to bear the majority of the guilt as he has ready his team to play at Celtic Park against Brenden Rodgers’ squad.

The fierce supporters of the Gers have every right to be worried about their chances of winning the Scottish Premiership title already, as the team has only triumphed once against their Old Firm rivals in the previous 12 meetings.