Glasgow Rangers kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign in less than a week as they prepare to travel to Dundee United on Friday night.
The Light Blues have signed a number of players to strengthen their squad, including Lawrence Shankland, Vanja Dragojevic, Ben Godfrey, and Ivor Pandur, but have yet to spend big on putting together a tent.
Meanwhile, their title and city rivals Celtic are close to closing a deal to sign Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh for more than £11m including add-ons.
The Danish international has scored 24 league goals since the start of 2025 and scored five goals in the Champions League last season, bolstering Celtic’s attack ahead of the new campaign.
Why the Rangers need an answer to Kasper Hogh
Based on the money spent on him and his exceptional Bodo/Glimt form over the past 18 months, Hogh looks set to be a key signing for the Hoops, and one that could boost their chances of winning the league again this season.
Celtic are showing interest in the transfer market by spending more than Rangers have spent on a player since paying £12m for Tore Andre Flo 26 years ago.
Rangers need to find an answer to this action of their rivals because they have not spent money to attack the tent, they have only signed Shankland on a free transfer from Hearts so far.
|
Rangers topped the Premiership on 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Goals |
|
Youssef Chermiti |
15 |
|
James Tavernier |
8 |
|
Thelo Aasgaard |
7 |
|
Mike Moore |
7 |
|
Bojan Miovski |
7 |
|
Nicholas Raskin |
6 |
|
Emmanuel Fernandez |
5 |
|
Djeidi Gassama |
3 |
|
Danilo |
3 |
No Rangers midfielder or defender has scored a double in Premiership goals in the 2025/26 campaign, and two of the club’s top three scorers from set pieces, Mike Moore and James Tavernier, have since left Ibrox.
This suggests that Derek McInnes needs to add more quality to the midfield and wide positions from an attacking perspective, to ensure the Gers have enough firepower to challenge for the title.
The Rangers are looking for an answer to Kasper Hogh
After signing Shankland as a new striker, after scoring 16 goals in the Premiership last season, they are now looking for a star in a different form to be their answer to Celtic’s deal for Hogh.
The Daily Record reports that Glasgow Rangers are eyeing a deal to sign Besiktas right winger Vaclav Cerny in the summer transfer window.
It is said that the Czech player is determined to return to Ibrox after the new players signed by the Turkish giants pushed him down in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, Star Gazetesi add that Besiktas could agree to part with him for around £8.5m, but his £45k-a-week wages could be a stumbling block for the Gers even if they agree on money and Super Lig assets.
Cerny was a big star for the Light Blues during his loan spell at Wolfsburg in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, which is why he would be such a great addition on a permanent deal.
12 months after losing to Besiktas, which is now considered a mistake according to the Daily Record, Rangers must put things right and finally sign him permanently as their answer to Celtic’s move for Hogh.
|
24/25 Premiership |
Vaclav Cerny |
Position vs RWs |
|---|---|---|
|
xG |
9.03 |
Top 6% |
|
Shots |
95 |
Top 1% |
|
Goals |
12 |
Top 6% |
|
Opportunities are created |
81 |
Top 1% |
|
xA |
8.41 |
Top 1% |
|
A touch in the opposition box |
170 |
Top 8% |
|
It helps |
4 |
Top 25% |
Cerny was a true star in the Premiership during his debut at Ibrox, scoring goals and creating chances for his team-mates at an exceptional rate, and he will be an instant star for McInnes.
Rangers lacked goals and assists in many areas in the 2025/26 campaign, with none of their players hitting double figures in goals or assists in those league positions, and the Czechia international will solve that problem.
Hogh, who scored 17 goals in the Eliteserien in 2025, looks set to give Celtic a significant attacking boost as a big-money signing, but Rangers’ move to Cerny could be the perfect answer at Ibrox.
Bringing the left-footed star back to Glasgow to provide a regular threat in front of goal as a goalscorer or creator from the flanks could negate any advantage the Hoops create by signing Hogh, as the Gers will have their share of attacking players.
The Scottish giants need to show interest in the market to ensure they have a squad with enough quality to go and win the Premiership, which is why they need to splash the cash to sign Cerny for £8.5m.
They have to show they mean business and are not resting when their rivals are making big signings, setting the mark ahead of the season kicking off on Friday.
