Vaclav Cerny revs up for relentless Rangers fixture run and reveals festive first due to jam-packed schedule

Vaclav Cerny is used to his Christmases coming early back home in the Czech Republic.

But the Rangers wide man reckons the Light Blues need to be ready to work long and late if they’re to survive their gruelling winter workload. The Ibrox side have been pushed to the limit dealing with their twin duties at home and in the Europa League. But there’ll been no chance to put the feet up over the festive period and into January, with Gers set to squeeze 12 games into the space of five weeks before their next free Wednesday at the start of February.

It’s a huge change in pace for on-loan Wolfsburg winger Cerny, who admits he’s usually chilling out on the couch at this time of year. The 27-year-old was born in the Bohemian town of Pribram, an hour south of Prague. There it’s tradition to tuck into Christmas Dinner on December 24.

This year, though, he was forced to wave goodbye to his loved ones during the festive frivolities as he joined the rest of Philippe Clement’s team to finalise preparations for Thursday's trip to St Mirren. But he knows that sacrifice will all be worth it if Gers can deliver a gift of three points to the punters heading to Paisley.

The former Ajax ace said: “It’s a nice period because this will be the first time I have played over Christmas and I’m looking forward to it. During my 10 years in Holland there was always a winter break and I enjoyed it in the Czech Republic too.

“It was the same in the Bundesliga, so this is the first year there has been no Christmas break for me. We have these conversations every day - but my wife understands. We have family coming over, you need to find a way to make it nice for the family as well. But it’s the job and, personally, I am looking forward to it.

“For me,