Rangers have reportedly held crucial behind-the-scenes discussions about bringing Vaclav Cerny back to Ibrox, with a high-profile move this summer now looking increasingly possible for the Glasgow giants.
The Light Blues are firmly in the transfer market for a dynamic and prolific new right-winger following the internal decision to opt against signing Andreas Skov Olsen on a permanent deal, leaving a massive creative void on the right flank that needs urgent attention ahead of the new campaign.
Gers already have the talented Djeidi Gassama in their ranks, but recent tactical reports emerging from Turkey suggest that his regular game time could be at major risk, as the Ibrox hierarchy would ideally like to welcome Cerny back to Glasgow to provide elite competition and proven quality.
The 28-year-old forward previously enjoyed a highly successful loan spell at Ibrox during the 2024-25 season, establishing himself as an instant fan favorite while racking up a phenomenal 27 goal contributions across 52 appearances in all competitions.
After initially signing on loan from Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg, the Czech international returned to his parent club before ultimately sealing a high-profile permanent move to Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas last summer in a deal that surprised many in Scotland.
There has now been substantial talk in Turkey regarding Cerny potentially heading back to Ibrox, and senior club sources indicate that this time the deal would be structured on a permanent basis to anchor the midfield attack for the long term.
Cerny has enjoyed a reasonably productive season in Turkey with Besiktas, and it remains to be seen whether the player himself would be fully open to an emotional Ibrox return so soon after his departure from the British game.
The only obvious hurdle right now for the hierarchy is the immense uncertainty surrounding current head coach Danny Rohl’s long-term future, with the highly-rated boss currently in advanced talks to join RB Salzburg in Austria, which has thrown a spanner in the works.
However, it could be that key internal figures at Ibrox would like to see the talented right-winger return to the club regardless of who is in charge of the first team when the grueling new season officially kicks off in August.
The player himself has spoken very fondly about the Gers since leaving the club, and has always reflected incredibly well on his memorable time spent in Glasgow, although he did confess to having some lingering competitive regrets about how the season ended.
Cerny previously stated, as quoted by the Scottish Sun back in May of 2025: “I managed to play a lot of games, almost 60 in one season, which is wonderful. I had a wonderful relationship with the passionate fans who support the team through thick and thin.”
He added further insight into his thoughts on his departure, saying: “I’m just sorry I couldn’t win anything tangible with Rangers. But I will always have very nice memories of the place, they truly have a magical stadium that rocks on European nights.”
When initially announcing his emotional Rangers exit to the support on social media, Cerny posted a direct and simple message to his followers: “Memories forever. Thank you, Ibrox.” It was a gesture that resonated deeply with a fan base that had grown to appreciate his incredible work rate.
It is abundantly clear that the forward still maintains a deep emotional connection to the Light Blues, and it will be incredibly interesting to see if he is personally open to negotiating a return during this summer transfer window.
While on loan with the Bears, Cerny was frequently grilled by the Scottish media over whether he would stay around long-term, and he always seemed remarkably open to the idea of extending his stay in the country if the financial conditions were right.
Gers unfortunately did not have a built-in buy option included in his initial loan contract, and the general suggestion at the time was that the club would have had to fork out an astronomical £8 million fee for his permanent services from Wolfsburg.
It is clear that Rangers simply did not possess that kind of disposable liquid money to hedge all on the single winger at that point in their financial cycle, though this time around, he could prove to be significantly cheaper for the recruitment team.
Cerny had a good overall season with Besiktas, but it was not deemed anything incredibly extraordinary by continental standards, meaning his current market valuation has naturally adjusted downward over the last twelve months.
As a result, he could potentially be available around the £6 million mark this summer, a competitive fee that the board may well view as an absolute bargain to kickstart their ambitious summer recruitment drive under the new football structure.
If the board can successfully negotiate the complex financial terms with Besiktas, securing Cerny would solve a critical tactical puzzle for the club while injecting proven European experience back into the starting eleven for the upcoming European campaign.
The news of potential talks has already sparked a massive reaction among the Rangers support, many of whom believe that Cerny’s direct style of play and clinical edge in front of goal were sorely missed during the recent campaign where the club faltered in key matches.
During his previous stint, Cerny demonstrated an innate ability to unlock stubborn Scottish Premiership defenses, often cutting inside onto his favored left foot to unleash devastating strikes or provide pinpoint crosses for the central strikers.
With Rangers aiming to dismantle Celtic’s domestic dominance, bringing in a player who already understands the intense pressures of the Glasgow fishbowl, and who requires absolutely no time to adapt to the league, is seen as a major advantage.
Furthermore, the potential arrival of Cerny could act as a massive boost for the rest of the squad, signaling to both current players and rival clubs that Rangers mean business and are prepared to invest heavily in top-tier talent.
The board is fully aware that fans are demanding a strong response after a trophy-less end to the previous season, and securing a marquee signing like Cerny would certainly help restore confidence among the Ibrox faithful.
As negotiations continue behind closed doors, club scouts are also keeping tabs on alternative options should the Besiktas deal hit a snag, but Cerny remains the absolute priority for the recruitment department at this moment in time.
The upcoming weeks will be entirely crucial for the direction of the club, as they look to finalize their managerial situation and secure the signatures of key targets before the squad reports back for pre-season training.
For Cerny, a return to Glasgow offers a golden opportunity for redemption and the chance to fulfill his stated dream of winning silverware in front of the packed stands at Ibrox stadium.
Whether a formal agreement can be reached smoothly remains to be seen, but the intent from the blue side of Glasgow is unmistakable as they prepare for a thrilling summer of transfer business.
