Vaclav Cerny insists he’s ready to make an impact in Rangers’ critical Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv.
The Czech international was man of the match as he capped his first start for the club with a stunning strike in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Motherwell.
Fighting his way to fitness after a summer loan move from Wolfsburg, Cerny was wrapped up in cotton wool before Philippe Clement’s side made heavy weather of securing their first league win of the season at their adopted home of Hampden.
After claiming an assist for Cyriel Dessers’ last-ditch equaliser when Rangers claimed a 1-1 draw against Dynamo in the first leg in Poland, the 26-year-old already looks to be a key player in the team and claims he is itching to be let loose on the Ukrainians.
‘I feel ready to start every single game, if you ask me,’ said Cerny. ‘I just want to use those days we have now to recover and get in shape again.
‘It’s on the manager, obviously, but I’ll do my best to be ready.
Vaclav Cerny celebrates his goal after giving Rangers a 2-1 lead at Hampden
Czech international Cerny slots home his goal in the Premiership clash
Cerny, far right, has looked like a superb addition to the Rangers ranks
Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring for Rangers in the 2-1 win over the Steelmen
Dessers and Cerny at full-time as Rangers celebrate victory at temporary Hampden home
‘Getting into the Champions League is something I really want to achieve with this club, with those guys in the dressing room.
‘There is just one wish, and that’s to get there, and we will do all we can to go through.
‘It’s the second leg, and they know how we want to play, we know how they play, so let’s prepare for it.’
Manager Clement has adopted a cautious approach to drafting the former Ajax winger into the Rangers starting XI.
A substitute for the last half-hour against Hearts and Dynamo, Cerny was on from the start as Rangers played their first league game at Hampden home against an injury-hit Motherwell side.
That's Motherwell out of the way, now Cerny is targeting a win over Dynamo Kyiv
Part of the Czech squad for Euro 2024, the new man was an electrifying presence before Rangers tailed off after his removal.
‘Look, the summer for me was also different than to the others,’ said Cerny. ‘Basically, for the past years I’ve never had longer free time than two weeks, for example.
‘But now, after the Euros, I had some days off and obviously moved to Rangers. So the fitness level is not ideal, but everybody knows that, and we are doing everything every day with a lot of people around me to get me where I want to be as fast as possible.
‘Listen, I’m also not the most patient person, so I want to get there as soon as possible. But we have to use the brain and look at it every day and just see how I’m feeling.
‘I just want to be useful and helpful for the team, that’s the No 1 wish for me, and I’m going to get there.’