Vaclav Cerny had no qualms admitting fatigue to Rangers boss Philippe Clement but insists rotation during an extraordinary heavy fixture list is inevitable.
The 27-year-old Czech Republic international, on loan from German side VfL Wolfsburg, has scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for the Light Blues this season and has also played five times for his country.
Clement revealed before the 2-2 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday that Cerny and Hamza Igamane would start on the bench due to tiredness, although he had to call on both at the interval to help rescue a point after the Light Blues had trailed 2-0.
That comeback, courtesy of Igamane’s brace, was not enough to prevent the Ibrox club ending the day 14 points behind leaders Celtic and all but out of the title race.
Ahead of the Old Firm game at Ibrox on Thursday, Cerny said: “There have been so many games. So we had a chat, not only with the manager but with people around who take care of us.
“I was okay, but I just said it because I was getting tired. I think it’s pretty normal at this stage of the season.
“We make it much bigger than it is. I’ve never seen one player who played every game.
“We have a strong squad. It’s normal to rotate. I want to play every game but sometimes, as I said, it’s just not possible.
“There is a huge game coming up and I’m feeling much better. And in the end, that was the point.
“It’s just so normal not to start one of 30 games. It shouldn’t be even a question.”
Cerny’s importance to Rangers left many fans frustrated at seeing him start on the bench at Fir Park, where Clement made seven changes.
He said: “I appreciate that. That’s what I wanted to create.
“I want people to think that I’m someone who can help this team every single game. That’s what I’m trying to do. But we have a strong squad.
“I’ve played around 35 games, maybe it’s 34 or 33, I don’t know.
“There are other players who are coming back from injuries and need minutes. I’m also not the coach.
“I was asked, and I said I was feeling a bit tired.”
Clement, looking for his first Old Firm win at the seventh attempt, is under huge pressure with many Gers fans believing his time at Ibrox is up.
Cerny said: “I will say it like this: We all are together in this and it’s an honest answer.
“I see us as a group – not as a manager and a team.
“We all are one and we want to achieve things together. And we want to go for it together.”
Cerny was involved in the big talking point when the two sides met in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden Park earlier in the month.
The Light Blues lost out in a penalty shoot-out, with the Scottish Football Association’s head of referees Willie Collum subsequently admitting they were denied a legitimate spot-kick when Cerny was fouled inside the box by Hoops defender Liam Scales.
Cerny said: “This is a new game. It’s a league game. It’s a home game.
“We can use it as a motivation. But in the end, it starts from 0-0 again. We just want to be ready for Thursday.
“We need to show the best version of ourselves. Hopefully, all of us will have the best days.”
