Vaclav Cerny played a pivotal role for Rangers this season.
On loan from Wolfsburg, the Czech winger delivered an impressive 12 goals and four assists across 33 Scottish Premiership appearances, standing out in what was otherwise a disappointing campaign under both Philippe Clement and interim manager Barry Ferguson.
While he is set to return to his parent club in Germany, there had been optimism that Rangers could secure him permanently for around £5.5 million. However, attention has now turned to a potential alternative.
Kwame Poku emerges as Cerny’s likely successor
Although new manager Russell Martin would have liked to retain Cerny, a permanent move now appears doubtful. According to The Rangers Review (9 June), hopes of landing the Czech international have faded, prompting the club to explore other options.
One such target is Kwame Poku, who is out of contract with Peterborough United this summer. The 23-year-old forward scored 12 goals in League One and is attracting interest from Rangers, as well as Birmingham City and clubs in France and Germany.
Poku could be an ideal addition at Ibrox
Should the Ghanaian international opt for a move to Glasgow, he’d likely walk straight into the starting lineup with the right-wing slot currently vacant. While Jack Harrison of Leeds United has also been linked, his recent form during a loan spell at Everton has raised concerns.
Poku, in contrast, is coming off an excellent campaign, registering 20 goal contributions in just 27 League One appearances. His form suggests he could quickly adapt and thrive in the Scottish Premiership.
At just 23, Poku still has his best years ahead of him, and if Rangers can fend off competition to secure his signature, they could have a real gem on their hands. With the club under pressure to close the gap on Celtic, investing in a promising talent like Poku would be a smart and potentially high-reward move.
Though a compensation fee would be owed to Peterborough due to his age and contract situation, the outlay could prove to be a bargain if Poku hits the ground running at Ibrox.
