Aberdeen boss makes triple Celtic claim as 'huge' Rangers star impresses Boyd
The latest news from Rangers and Celtic as the Glasgow rivals prepare for European action this week.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has described the impact made by Vaclav Cerny as ‘huge’ as the Czechia international enjoys his best run of form since moving to Ibrox during the summer.
After a slow start to his time in Glasgow, the on-loan Wolfsburg winger can now boast an impressive return of nine goals and five assists in 22 appearances in all competitions so far this season. Rangers’ Europa League campaign has been where Cerny has produced his best with five goal contributions in as many fixtures as Philippe Clement’s side have claimed wins against the likes of Malmo, FCSB and Nice. The 27-year-old was also in fine form as Rangers eased to a 3-0 win at Ross County on Saturday - and former Scotland striker Boyd believes his old club would be lost without their summer signing.
He told Sky Sports: “Cerny, for me, sometimes you think to yourself where would Rangers be if it wasn’t for him. I know its not been a great season for Rangers so far but you look at his impact and what he has brought to this Rangers team, it’s been huge.”
It is not the first time Boyd has praised the winger after he described his as Rangers ‘best player’ following their League Cup semi-final win against Motherwell last month.
Aberdeen boss makes trip Celtic claim
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin referenced Celtic three times as he reflected on his side’s disappointing home draw with St Johnstone on Saturday.
The Dons have enjoyed a largely positive start to the Premiership season and have lost just two of their opening 16 league games of the campaign. However, those two defeats have come in their last five fixtures and Saturday’s draw means Thelin’s men are now without a win since they eased to a 4-1 home victory against Dundee before last month’s international break.
The Swede referenced his side’s midweek loss against the Hoops when he was asked about the Dons display during their draw with St Johnstone and claims the effort they put in during their meeting with Brendan Rodgers’ men had an impact this weekend.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: “I think our performance was not the level we want. And we don’t get out with the same intensity that we did against Celtic. And we have to find a way back to get more stable in our performance between the games. Because we have been a little bit up and down now. And the only way to do that is to live this moment, to get used to this moment with a lot of games because we want to play a lot of games.
He continued: “Yeah, I think the Celtic game was really good in the form of the energy and we felt really well prepared before the game but then didn’t get out really. And I think every team get this period of the year in the season. It’s football. And sometimes it’s probably different reasons, but I think we didn’t really find a way to recover quick enough to get out against Celtic. And it’s not only about fitness sometimes, it’s also about mental capacity. And it’s just to live this moment and try to use, try to keep believing and be strong in your convictions, how you want to play, stay true to your identity.