The 26-year-old winger, who moved to Ibrox on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg in July, missed out on his former club Ajax’s run to the final of the same competition in 2017 after picking up a back injury.
Later that same year, the Czech Republic international suffered a cruciate ligament tear which kept him out for 11 months, while in 2021 — by which time Cerny had moved to FC Twente — he missed 10 months with another serious knee issue.
Cerny has had a stop-start opening spell at Ibrox, too, a four-week holiday after the Euros having left him playing catch-up with his fitness. He still made some important early contributions, setting up Cyriel Dessers for a late equaliser in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie against Dynamo Kyiv then scoring on his first start at home to Motherwell three days later.
After missing the 1-0 win at Tannadice on September 15 due to illness, Cerny was restored to the starting line-up for the 3-0 victory over Dundee on the day Rangers finally returned to Ibrox.
The wide man believes the repeat adversity he has had to overcome in his career makes him even more determined to succeed on the grandest stages.
“I’ve been through a lot,” he acknowledged. “I had two big, big injuries, so that forms how you are, your experiences from the previous clubs, but also you personally. I’m just enjoying myself being on the pitch, and I just want to give this club back what they’ve given me until now. For me, it’s a clear thing that I want to pay back.
“As a football player, you play for a club, you play for your team-mates, for your coaches. But when you’re injured for so long, all of a sudden you’re basically on your own. That’s what is a struggle, actually. You have to find the mentality down deep to come through it, because we all have examples of players who don’t come out of those injuries.
“Those are the things that tested me and you quickly realise what it means to play on these stages. It makes you enjoy it even more. Literally, that’s why I’m the kind of player that I am now. I want to score every game, I want to be important every game, even though it’s not possible sometimes. I know that, but that’s the thing that brings me forward and what I want to give to this amazing club right now.”
It still irks Cerny that he was unable to feature in that impressive run that Peter Bosz’s then charges put together seven years ago, when Ajax defeated Panathinaikos, Standard Liege, Celta Vigo, Legia Warsaw, FC Copenhagen, Schalke and Lyon before losing 2-0 to Manchester United in the final, which was staged in Stockholm, some 400 miles northeast of where Cerny will start another adventure later this week.
The Europa League has been kind to Rangers in recent years, but that is not a description you would necessarily apply to a fixture list featuring the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and United.
“That was the season I was coming back from injury, so at the end of the season I was not fit enough to play,” Cerny recalled. “For me, I was part of it, but not how I wanted. It’s another experience, but I’m more looking forward to this season.
“What can this group achieve in Europe? We will see about that. The thing is, what we discussed and what we will do is to go step-by-step, focusing now on Thursday in Malmo. That’s all that matters. We know what the potential is, but we need to show it week in, week out. That’s all that matters.
“It is similar [the pressure at Rangers and Ajax], so it’s good to know how it feels to be in a club that demands a lot. Fans, the club itself, you need to play for trophies and you want that as well as a player, and we all realise that.
“So it’s good to have literally everyone on board and to understand the things we want to achieve. Obviously clubs like Ajax, they want to win titles every single year, and that’s more than normal. There is a constant pressure, but that’s a good thing also. We don’t have to make it bigger than it is, so it’s just up to us to focus.”
The Importance of Each Game
Cerny’s determination to succeed in Europe is evident in his approach to the upcoming season. While he acknowledges the club’s potential, he is focused on taking things one game at a time, starting with the trip to Malmo.
He has also spoken about the pressure he feels at Rangers, a pressure he says is similar to the pressure he experienced during his time at Ajax. He understands the high expectations of the club and its fans, and he is determined to meet them.
A Second Chance at Glory
For Cerny, the Europa League presents a second chance at glory, a chance to make up for the lost time he endured due to injury. He is eager to prove himself on the European stage and contribute to Rangers’ success in the competition. His determination and resilience, honed by his battles with adversity, make him a player to watch out for as Rangers embark on their European journey.
A Look at the Future
Cerny’s comments about the importance of taking each game step-by-step and focusing on the present highlight the importance of a clear and focused mindset in achieving success in football. While the dream of reaching the Europa League final is undoubtedly present, Cerny’s approach exemplifies a key ingredient for success: a commitment to performing at the highest level in each and every match. The future may hold further European glory for the Czech international, but for now, his focus is firmly on making the most of the opportunity in front of him.
