Vaclav Cerny reached for a four-letter word as he reacted to his first experience of the Govan grumbles on Sunday.
But Rangers boss Philippe Clement went for another as he insisted there’s no major issue after watching the on-loan Wolfsburg winger lash out at Ibrox critics. The Light Blues were back at home in front of four full stands for the first time this season having finally completed their delayed Copland Road cantilever project.
But it ended up being a tough crowd for Clement’s ropey Rangers as they struggled to see off David Gray’s Hibs. The Light Blues legions grew increasingly angsty during a ragged second half in which the hosts spent more time playing sideways and backwards than threatening Leith No1 Josef Bursik.
It was Cerny who got it in the neck when the terraces reacted to the Czech ace knocking a pass back to John Souttar instead of taking on his full-back. The outburst prompted another from Cerny himself, who appeared to tell the West Enclosure boo-boys where to go as he swung an arm out in frustration.
But Clement played down the incident despite whipping the winger off just seconds later. The big Belgian – who stopped Cerny for a touchline chat before the former Ajax ace trudged back to the bench – explained: “It was just about keeping focus on the game in the heat of the moment. He loves the fans and the fans love him, so nothing special.
“I just spoke with him about the game and the story we’re making better and better. He didn’t play too many games last season so we need to raise his level in that way to be able to perform every two days and that’s a normal story.”
Cerny is far from being the only member of the Ibrox squad to face flak from the fans this season. Even last year’s star man Jack Butland has had fingers pointed at him, with plenty questioning his performance levels in damaging defeats to Dynamo Kyiv and Celtic.
Clement insists that’s news to him – but he was pleased to see the keeper steal the headlines with his crucial penalty stop against Mykola Kuharevych. He said: “I don’t know about this criticism but I don’t read everything. That’s maybe good.
“Yeah of course he made a massive save on the penalty and that makes a difference. It’s also not been easy the last couple of weeks to be the goalkeeper because he really didn’t have much of a job to do because of the good work in front of him but also because of his good coaching and being on top of things with the defence all the time.
“So that’s also massive about a good goalkeeper that he prevents also that he needs to make saves and Jack doing that in a good way. So I think he will be happy that he could show his qualities one moment again.”
Butland broke Hibs’ hearts with his spot-kick save after Tom Lawrence had smashed the deadlock. It was a sensational, swirling strike from the Welshman which arced its way into Bursik’s top corner.
VAR took its time before sanctioning the goal amid hints of offside. But Clement was pleased to see the former Derby skipper at last hitting form after two injury-plaugued seasons in Glasgow.
“Yes, he’s getting better and better,” said the Rangers manager. “I saw also that the second half he was also more tired and less decisive in his passing and in his shots. So still things to work on.
“But he’s made a massive step forward. What I want also from a No10 is to be decisive with assists, with goals and he’s been doing that in the pre-season, and also the last couple of weeks.
“It’s something we missed last season. The goals came from our striker, our wingers or even our right-back but not enough from the No10 position. So it’s really important what he’s been doing there and it’s also the quality finish that I want to see in that position.”
Lawrence is coming good and so too is Clement’s new-look backline. Gers found themselves under pressure at times as Hibs threw everything they had at Butland’s goal down the stretch.
But with Souttar and Robin Propper now bedded in as the Ibrox centre-back pairing, there was no nightmare finale as Gers ground out a fourth straight shit-out. “That takes time,” said Clement.
“So I think Jefte is improving a lot compared with pre-season and it’s normal. It’s what we knew. He’s still a young player with not much experience from 20-years-old but he’s making really big steps.
“The partnership between Robin and John is getting better and better that they get to know each other better in the reactions and what to do in what situations. Nana Kasanwirjo came on also in a really good way.
“James Tavernier was here of course. Jack was here of course last season but they need to make the partnership with the other players on the pitch. And with Connor Barron it’s the same. He’s new and it’s the first time that he plays so many minutes every three days. So he was also less fresh today for me.
“But they all keep the structure. They keep doing the things how we want to see it, how we want to defend in our principles and that’s important to keep your structure all game. So in that way we didn’t give away chances by being out of structure.”
Gers now turn their focus to Thursday’s Europa League date with Lyon. And Clement is confident he’ll have Mohamed Diomande available after the midfielder sat out the Hibs clash.
Asked how the Ivory Coast ace is, Clement said: “I don’t know yet but he’s much better already. He got a knock on his knee on Thursday. He was not available to play but there’s a big chance that he will be available for Thursday.
“That’s what I count on. So nothing too much to worry about.”