Vaclav Cerny turned a horror week into the perfect night as he netted a Rangers stunner as part of an Ibrox double.
The on loan winger has had a seven days to forget after appearing to tell the home fans ‘where to go’ last weekend against Hibs after groans from the home crowd after he was robbed off the ball. Days later he then somehow missed an open goal in the Europa League clash with Lyon when it looked easier to score. The French side survived the scare and took a lift from the let off as they hit Philippe Clement and his troops for four in a thumping defeat for the men from Govan.
But they closed the gap back down to five points on ‘perfect’ Celtic and Aberdeen – both making it seven wins from seven league outings with late winners at Ross County and at home to Hearts – ahead of the international break as they go into the latest break from club matters on a high as they made it three league wins on the spin.
There was also a big long awaited return for Ianis Hagi as he arrived onto the Ibrox turf to a huge reception from the home support. But his night ended on a major downer as a VAR review upgraded a yellow card challenge to a red meaning he now has another spell out of the team coming his way. Here are our 3 talking points…
Silence the critics
Vaclav Cerny was on target for Rangers – and it was a piece of magic before an even better finish. The on loan winger received a pass and nutmegged Sven Sprangler before using Lewis Neilson as a shield as he curled his effort home to leave Ross Sinclair with no chance at all.
Michael Stewart in the commentary box was left well impressed by the effort branding it an ‘absolutely brilliant goal’ and it will be one that will also mean a lot to the wide-man. It was a first at Ibrox after his maiden strike came at Hampden against Motherwell. He quickly added his second of the night and third of his Rangers loan as he twisted and turned before firing across the goalkeeper low into the net just before the hour mark.
We told you previously how he had deleted his Instagram profile after a nightmare week. He hasn’t been hitting the heights expected of late and temperatures reached a boiling point against Hibs last weekend. He was caught telling the home support ‘where to go’ during their 1-0 win after he groans from the home crowd as he was robbed of the ball.
Against Lyon, he somehow blasted over from close-range with the goal at his mercy before Lyon picked themselves up from the let off to hammer the Ibrox men 4-1 on matchday two of the Europa League. That didn’t help matters for the Czech Republic international but his skill and finishing tonight earned much needed praise and applause from the home support. It will also do him the world of good personally as he bids to get himself up and running properly.
Could it prove the catalyst for a turnaround in fortunes? Only time will tell.
Hagi back from wilderness but faces fresh spell out
It’s been a saga that has rumbled on for months. But Ianis Hagi finally returned to action for the Rangers first-team tonight.
The Romanian has been putting in the hard miles behind the scenes and has also impressed for the B team and after coming to an agreement between the club and himself, he is now officially back in the fold under Philippe Clement. His return will come as a major boost for the player, supporters and Romania ahead of the international break.
He was introduced at the start of the second half to a rousing reception from the Ibrox crowd and it didn’t take him long to make a crucial contribution as he picked out Cerny before he beat his man in a one on one duel to make it 2-0.
However, his perfect night went sour as a VAR review ended with the Romanian international seeing a yellow card upgraded to red. It means a suspension after the international break and it will now be another spell out of the team before he can force his way in.
What next for St Johnstone?
It was the start of a new era for the Saints – well sort of this evening.
Simo Valakari was in the stands at Ibrox to watch on with the new boss still awaiting the green light on his work permit. So it was interim gaffer Andy Kirk on the touchline but the defeat in Govan will have given the Craig Levein’s successor plenty to think about and put into action over the next couple of weeks.
It’s not often managers would say the international break comes at the perfect time, but for Valakari it may well just prove to be that as he bids to get down to work on the training ground and implement his ideas and game plans. The crucial time behind the scenes and on the grass with his players could prove crucial as he bids to get them pushing up the league and getting points on the board.
Following the break they face Ross County in Perth before clashes with Dundee and St Mirren on the road before struggling Hearts make the trip to McDiarmid Park. Valakari will have points on his mind and a target to match – although he may well not admit that in public.