Ibrox View: Clement must haul off Rangers flop after 'Incredible' nightmare failure again v Lyon

Vaclav Cerny’s nightmare form in front of goal continued for Rangers as he followed up his glaring miss against Malmo with a repeat in the first half against Lyon.

Philippe Clement surely can’t help but take notice after the Czech winger passed up the opportunity to open the scoring inside 10 minutes, firing over the bar from close range when presented with an open goal.

Tom Lawrence’s attempt had been saved when it fell to the Wolfsburg loanee, but just as he did when sent clean through in Sweden last week by Nedim Bajrami he failed to find the target.

Reacting live on BBC Sportsound commentator Alasdair Lamont said (8.10pm): “It fell to Cerny, the keeper on the ground, six yards out, he lifts it over the top of the crossbar, incredible miss.”

Unlike the 2-0 victory on 26 September, where Rangers stayed in control despite his “horrific miss” in the first half [CBS, 6.38pm] Lyon took advantage of Cerny’s profligacy at Ibrox to punish Rangers with the opener through Malick Fofana almost instantly.

Vaclav Cerny repeats Malmo miss as Rangers punished by Lyon

Tom Lawrence equalised in the 14th minute but the Light Blues were behind again five minutes later after another error from Connor Barron saw the visitors break and score through Alexandre Lacazette.

When the players emerge for the second half Clement likely has to take action and bring on a replacement for Cerny, as the Belgian will know his side can’t afford to pass up golden opportunities against quality opposition.

The Light Blues have been hanging on at the back at times, which is perhaps no surprise considering some of the attacking players Lyon boast, and Lacazette added a third before the break.

But there is enough going forward for Rangers to get another positive Europa League result, with Nedim Bajrami again impressive.

Whatever the issue for Cerny is right now the Gers can’t risk any more major chances falling his way if he isn’t in the right form to take them, having also been disappointing against Hibs at the weekend where Neil McCann criticised the “terrible thing” he did live on Sky Sports (29 September, 1.11pm).

He clearly has quality and showed he knows where the goal is with a wonderful strike against Motherwell at Hampden Park, but after getting away with it against Malmo he hasn’t done here and the team have suffered as a result.

The likes of Cyriel Dessers is no stranger to squandering strong chances himself, but where the striker largely makes up for it by contributing elsewhere Cerny looks off colour.

Whether it is Ross McCausland, Dujon Sterling, or the exciting Hamza Igamane after the break Clement needs to add someone who can have a more positive impact.

In other Rangers news, a pundit issued an apology after he “got it massively wrong” on the Light Blues.

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