Vaclav Cerny has stirred the debate on European football loyalties by claiming Rangers are a bigger club than Ajax, adding he regrets a “completely unnecessary” outburst directed at the Ibrox fans. Currently on loan from Wolfsburg, Cerny has become a pivotal player for Rangers under manager Philippe Clement. However, after a recent dip in form, the 27-year-old forward’s frustrations surfaced publicly, which did not sit well with the Rangers faithful.
“Rangers are an extremely big club, similar to what I was used to at Ajax, but maybe I would say Rangers are even bigger,” Cerny said in an interview with Czech outlet Blesk. “The fans and the whole club have huge expectations. So when the game isn’t going their way, the fans make their views very clear. But the stadium is special, especially during European games.”
Reflecting on the intensity of the Scottish fanbase, Cerny noted, “They show typical British behaviour. The stands would like us to play the ball forward, so when we pass it backwards, because maybe we can’t do it any other way, they tell you. It’s such a simple mindset, but I don’t mean it in a bad way at all. Every fan wants their team to play forward all the time.”
During a three-game slump, Cerny struggled, missing critical chances against Malmo and Lyon, and eventually lashed out at the fans. “I missed a big opportunity against Lyon at 0-0, and I also made a gesture towards the stands that can’t be taken back,” he admitted. “It was completely unnecessary, but the club supported me. I waved my hands toward the fans, and that was my fault.”
The criticism took a toll, particularly on his family. “It got to the point where I said enough. I deleted my social networks for a while. If it was just me, I don’t have a problem with it—but it affected my family, my wife, and my young daughter, which is the limit for me,” Cerny explained. “It was a learning experience. The gesture was completely unnecessary, but I’m so impulsive.”
Cerny ultimately found redemption, scoring twice in a 2-0 win shortly after the incident. “That was the best possible reaction,” he said. “I shut my mouth and played. That’s the best way to do it. After the experience I’ve gained from that, I’m stronger, I react better to everything.”
The forward acknowledged the team’s challenge in keeping pace with rivals Celtic, who currently lead Rangers by nine points in the league. “Unfortunately, in the past few years, we have not matched Celtic, and now we are nine points behind them, which the fans don’t take positively,” he remarked. “But the season is still long, nothing is lost yet. Plus, we’re in the League Cup Final, which is good.”
As for his future, Cerny hinted at plans after his loan expires but remained focused on his current season. “I am supposed to return to Wolfsburg after this season, but honestly, I’m only focused on this campaign, Rangers’ success, and my own. I want to have the best season of my career in terms of goals and assists,” he shared, before concluding, “Of course I have a plan, but there’s no point talking about it yet.”