When Vaclav Cerny arrives for a gathering with the Czech national team, jokes abound. One of his great role models is the Dutch icon Arjen Robben. "You're right, back in the day, it was mostly because of what happened to my hair," the now bald footballer jokes. "But I really like Robben. To me, he’s one of the best wingers in football history. I often watch his videos and learn from him," Cerny said two years ago, explaining how he draws inspiration from the former Bayern Munich star.
Cerny’s current play for the Rangers does indeed resemble that of Robben, although Robben has exhibited more efficiency in front of goal. Cerny has an eye for placement, small spaces, and dribbling, along with a sharp left-footed shot. In the Europa League this season, Cerny scored against FCSB, Nice, Royale Union SG, and twice against Fenerbahçe during the last knockout match of the Rangers in the round of 16. Despite the Rangers’ close shave of elimination (they triumphed in a penalty shootout), Cerny’s performance has been highly impressive. With unexpected poise in the British Isles, the talented winger has lived his best season yet.
Cerny is on loan from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg and has already increased his market price by netting 17 goals with the Rangers this season. Football was always the clear path for Cerny. His father played football and was a five-time starter in the Czech championship. He even participated in the Czech Republic Cup final in June 1997 with Dukla. By this time, young Vasek, born four months later, was already on his way. Later, Vaclav Cerny Sr. transitioned into coaching, contributing to the establishment of the Pribram football academy and later managing the Czech youth national team. Notable players who graduated from the Pribram talent pool include Ales Mateju and Antonin Barak, but Vaclav Cerny Jr.’s journey was different. As a teenager, he toured major European clubs but eventually left his country and, at 16, joined the renowned Ajax Amsterdam training center.
He didn’t lose his way. In the youth team, "Jong Ajax" alongside Frenkie de Jong, Andre Onana, Noussair Mazroaui, Donny Van de Beek, and Abdelhak Nouri, he scored 15 goals with his exceptional left foot, becoming the top scorer during the 2015/16 season. Cerny even earned a Europa League victory after a spectacular solo effort during one of his first starts against Celtic at age 17—showing that the world seemed to be at his feet.
Yet, in such stories, nothing is as simple as it seems. The winger’s career started to become hampered by a knee injury. Following a ligament injury that sidelined him for more than 11 months, he regained fitness and aimed to prove to Erik Ten Hag he deserved a place in the first team. He once again became the most productive player for the Ajax reserves but ended up playing only 29 matches and scoring four goals in four seasons with the first team across all competitions. One of those goals came in the league.
After a difficult spell at Utrecht, Twente came calling, and Cerny’s talent blossomed again in a team that employed a 4-2-3-1 system. Even after undergoing another tough operation, he bounced back and established himself in the Bundesliga. A comparison with Donny Van de Beek illustrates how injuries can alter a footballer’s life and destiny. In 2016, Cerny and Van de Beek were each valued at one million euros. However, while the Dutch midfielder remained fit and secured his starting position, his market value skyrocketed to 44 million euros within four years. Concurrently, due mainly to his health issues, Cerny’s value plummeted to just 800,000 euros. Only after his transfer to Wolfsburg did he regain some worth, now valued at 9.2 million euros.
The Bundesliga transfer didn’t unfold as Cerny had hoped. Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac often favored a 4-4-2 setup, and gradually, the Czech winger found himself less frequently starting in both his club and the national team. Former manager Jaroslav Silhavy preferred to implement a defensive style rather than deploy wingers on the pitch.
After a challenging 2023/2024 season, Cerny seized the opportunity to be loaned to the Rangers, a move that appears to suit him perfectly. "The transfer to Rangers fits him in every way; he has been greatly helped by a coach who has trusted him. Vasek is also doing great in his personal life, he is having a lot of fun," stated his agent, David Nehoda.
Ultimately, the key is to give him the right role. Former manager Philippe Clément, who was fired in February, allowed him to play in the position where he excelled at Ajax, on the right wing behind the striker, in a 4-2-3-1 system. In this role, he delivered exceptional performances against Fenerbahçe. Despite the departure of Belgian coach Clément, the Czech player seems to have kept the confidence of his new manager, Barry Ferguson. Could this signal a permanent transfer to the Rangers?
"I would like to stay," Cerny replied when asked whether he wished to continue his career with the club at Ibrox Park. "But there are so many aspects I cannot control. All I can do is play to the best of my abilities and maintain my form and fitness. There’s no time for anything else; we all play every three days," he added.
Behind the scenes, discussions are swirling about a slightly different agreement with the Scottish club. American businessmen have taken an interest in the Glasgow giants, and their entry and new investments are expected this summer. With the club’s ambition being to end Celtic’s reign, it’s likely that new signings will be made at Ibrox Park. Whether Cerny will be on the Rangers' wishlist remains uncertain, but Wolfsburg will have the final word since he is still their player.
"If they want to take Vaclav back, it will be our priority. He has a valid contract in Germany, and he would love to establish himself there," Nehoda said, somewhat contradicting his client’s position. "If that’s not the case, I think it’s likely that he will switch clubs this summer. Aside from Rangers, German, Italian, or Spanish clubs could express interest," added the player's agent. The Pribram native has certainly proven a lot this year, and it’s clear an interesting change awaits him.
