Cerny’s defiance stems from the fallout of Rangers’ dramatic 3-2 victory at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025, where his exuberant celebrations sparked outrage. After Hamza Igamane’s 88th-minute winner, Cerny, who had been substituted, sprinted down the touchline, spraying water at Celtic fans. The act, dubbed “watergate” by the media, drew sharp rebuke from Rodgers, who labeled it a “lack of respect” and insisted his players would never cross such a line. Celtic lodged complaints, and both Police Scotland and the Scottish FA investigated, though Cerny escaped with only a formal warning.
Unfazed, Cerny branded the backlash “absurd” during the international break, and now, ahead of the next derby, he’s taken aim at Rodgers again. Speaking to the press, Cerny suggested Rangers’ belief in toppling Celtic is “logical,” a pointed dig at Rodgers’ confidence in Celtic’s dominance. “We’re building momentum. We’ve beaten them twice this year. Why wouldn’t we believe?” Cerny said, referencing Rangers’ 3-0 win at Ibrox in January and the recent Parkhead triumph. His words challenge Celtic’s 13-point lead in the Premiership and Rodgers’ assertion that his team’s slow starts against Rangers are a mere blip.
Rangers’ interim boss Barry Ferguson has backed Cerny’s fiery approach, defending his player’s celebrations as a natural response to a rare victory at Celtic Park, the first in five years. “I want my players to celebrate. Vaclav was just caught up in the moment,” Ferguson said. This contrasts sharply with Rodgers’ emphasis on respect, highlighting the philosophical divide between the camps.
Cerny’s history adds fuel to his defiance. Having scored against Celtic for Ajax in a 2015 Europa League match, he’s no stranger to thriving in hostile environments. “I love these games,” he said, drawing parallels to his Ajax-Feyenoord derby experiences. His confidence could galvanize Rangers, who, despite trailing in the title race, have shown they can rattle Celtic.
