SportsView
·7. März 2025
National press goes crazy over Vaclav Cerny in Rangers win v Fenerbahce

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·7. März 2025
Rangers produced a stunning performance in Istanbul to secure a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in the round of 16 first-leg of the Europa League away from Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers scored the opening goal and Vaclav Cerny bagged a brace as the Gers took a healthy lead ahead of the second leg at Ibrox next week.
There were many top performers on the night for Rangers. The defensive duo of Leon Balogun and John Souttar were simply outstanding.
Mohamed Diomande was an engine in the middle of the park, and Nicolas Raskin delivered a sensational pass that led to the third goal.
Dessers easily could have had a hat-trick, and he will be disappointed after VAR ruled out two goals, where he was found in a marginally offside position.
The Daily Record gave three players 9/10 ratings, and Dessers was one of them. They also gave Souttar and Cerny similar marks.
The newspaper wrote about Cerny: “Czech winger had a dream night, burying Rangers’ second goal from Dessers’ pass before slotting home their third on the counter.”
Nobody saw that coming. In a season where so many Scottish teams thoroughly outclassed them, Rangers somehow found a way to raise their levels in European games.
Cerny has been outstanding all season for the Bears. He has scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Gers, and Rangers could fancy their chances of signing him permanently next season if the takeover process goes through smoothly.
Jose Mourinho said after that game that Rangers should “calm down” and that the tie is “not over”. He is spot-on. We don’t even know which Rangers team will appear next week, as they have been diabolical all season.
Rangers should ease through to the last eight, thanks to the two-goal buffer, if they can maintain a similar level of intensity in Glasgow.