Rangers signing worries ex-Ibrox ace concerned about ‘no real pace or athleticism’

No two triumphs are alike, and the contrasting reactions to Rangers’ victory over Malmo and Hibernian revealed the disparity between

those two performances.

Rangers had their most spectacular performance of the season in Sweden on Thursday, defeating Malmo, who were ten points ahead of

them in the Allsvenskan league. But when Hibernian came to Ibrox three days later, the reception to their latest three-point haul could not

have been more contrasting. Kris Boyd is concerned that Rangers’ lack of depth has been exposed against Hibs, as Clement has shuffled

his pack.

Nicolas Raskin, he claims, is a ‘pale shadow of his old self’. Hamza Igamane, meanwhile, struggled to match the presence of their go-to

number nine just 72 hours after Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom singled out Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers for admiration.

While the Gers fans had very different sentiments about the performance that put Malmo to the sword and the one that needed a Jack

Butland penalty save to secure the win against Hibs, one thing remained constant: the narrative around Vaclav Cerny.

Cerny, Rangers’ least successful player against Malmo, squandered a golden opportunity when he missed the target one-on-one at the

Eleda Arena. The Czech international then started brilliantly against Hibs, but swiftly reverted to old ways.

And hints of a difficult relationship between Cerny and those on the Ibrox terraces were impossible to miss as the Wolfsburg loanee

responded to a few boos from a crowd that, understandably, expected more.Cerny arrived with high expectations.

He was one of the most feared forwards in the Eredivisie not long ago, with former FC Twente coach Ron Jans praising Cerny’s ‘great left

foot’ and Erik ten Hag describing Rangers’ number 18 as a’special’ talent at Ajax. Aside from the Motherwell surprise, Cerny has been

more plodding than brilliant in Scotland. And as Hibernian became aware of his party piece – Cerny routinely cutting inside and slowing

down play, much to the chagrin of a public who wanted to see him push towards the box – the 26-year-old quickly disappeared as an

attacking force.”The way Hibs set up in the first half, to frustrate Rangers, you need someone who can beat someone in a one-on-one,”

says former Ibrox veteran Andy Halliday. “Cerny has a wonderful left foot, but he always wants to come in on that foot. He wants to thread

the passes and cross it.

Rangers lack pace and athleticism. And those are the types of games where [you require that].” Halliday has also questioned Rangers

newcomer Nedim Bajrami, believing that the man lined up on the opposite wing of Cerny is merely more of the same. Another technically

brilliant playmaker, but he lacks the speed to stretch a deep-block backline. Maybe Rangers are better against teams who have a bit of

go,” Halliday replies when asked why Clement’s squad performed well against Malmo but struggled at home against Hibs.

I believe it suits them when the Rangers attack them; on turnovers and transitions, they kind of go after teams. I thought they were

fantastic [against Malmo]. You think, “Go ahead and build some momentum.” If Clement gives him the nod on Thursday night, a

statement performance against Lyon would be the best way for Cerny to silence his doubters.

JUST IN:Rangers signing worries ex-Ibrox ace concerned about ‘no real pace or athleticism’