Lee McCulloch identifies a true ‘Rangers player’ and the key requirement to secure his signing.

The former Motherwell and Wigan Athletic standout was a key figure for Rangers during some of the club’s most memorable highs and challenging lows.

 

McCulloch played a pivotal role in Rangers’ journey to the UEFA Cup final in 2008, demonstrating his commitment to the team he loved.

 

His loyalty was further evident in 2012 when the club faced administration and liquidation.

 

Serving as captain from that year until his departure to Kilmarnock in 2015, he played a crucial role in Rangers’ climb from the Third Division to the Championship.

 

With a wealth of experience, McCulloch has a keen eye for talent. This season, his focus has been on Vaclav Cerny at Rangers.

 

McCulloch Believes Rangers Must Keep Vaclav Cerny

McCulloch has singled out the Czech Republic winger, who is on loan from Wolfsburg, and believes he has proven himself capable of thriving at Rangers.

 

Cerny has impressed, scoring 17 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, all while playing as a right winger.

 

His impact has been undeniable, making him a fan favorite at Ibrox. However, concerns are mounting about his future, as his loan deal expires in the summer.

 

The last thing Rangers supporters want is a repeat of the Abdallah Sima situation, where a key loan player departs after a successful season.

 

The challenge lies in Wolfsburg’s valuation of Cerny.

 

To secure his services permanently, Rangers may need to pay a substantial fee—potentially between £7-8 million—to match what the German club initially invested in him.

 

McCulloch has urged Rangers to make an effort to retain their star man but also emphasized that Cerny must have the desire to stay.

 

When asked by PLZ Soccer whether Cerny is the kind of player Rangers need to hold onto, McCulloch was unequivocal:

 

“Yep, he’s been brilliant this season. He’s a match-winner.

 

He’s positive, he’s direct, and he’s got that Rangers mentality, if I can put it that way. He takes players out of the game, creates chances, and scores goals—he wins matches.”

 

Acknowledging that the decision is ultimately up to the club, McCulloch added:

 

“He’s on loan, so the club will need to handle that business.

 

But he also has to want to stay. There’s still a long way to go this season, but I think it would be a huge positive if he remained at Rangers next year.”

 

Cerny Has Already Addressed His Future

 

While McCulloch makes his case for keeping Cerny, it appears he may not have been keeping track of what the player himself has been saying.

 

During the international break, Cerny spoke to Czech media about his future at Rangers. When asked whether he could envision staying at Ibrox beyond this season, he responded:

 

“I definitely do. But there are so many factors that I can’t control. All I can do is be the best I can, maintain my form, and keep producing good numbers.”

 

Pressed on whether discussions had taken place about a permanent move, Cerny made it clear that nothing concrete had been communicated to him.

 

“There’s no time for that right now—we play every three days. I don’t have an option in my contract, so I genuinely don’t know what will happen.”

 

He further elaborated that, as of now, Rangers have not approached him regarding an extended stay.

 

“Rangers will be undergoing some changes in the summer.

 

There’s speculation about new owners acquiring a significant percentage of shares. But nothing is confirmed—it’s all just rumors and media talk.”

 

Cerny stressed that it was too early to have meaningful discussions about his future, given the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership situation.

 

“It wouldn’t be right to negotiate with a club that doesn’t yet know what will happen in two months. It’s simply too early for that.”

 

While McCulloch and Rangers fans are eager to see Cerny continue his journey at Ibrox, his future remains uncertain.

 

Whether the club can secure his permanent signing—or whether he even gets the opportunity—will depend on how the next few months unfold.