Vaclav Cerny urges Rangers to skip Europa League step as he lays ...

Vaclav Cerny is urging Rangers to continue their Europa League points push as he insisted the Ibrox outfit can now aim for the last 16.

Thursday night’s remarkable 4-1 Europa League annihilation of Nice saw Philippe Clement’s side hit the 10-point mark, which experts insist will be enough to book a slot in February’s play-off round. But Cerny believes the Light Blues shouldn’t be putting a limit on their continental aspirations when there is still a chance to skip the first knock-out round and qualify directly into the last 16 ties, which take place in March.

To do that, Rangers will have to finish in the top eight of the new-look league phase, with qualifying benchmark expected to sit at 15 points. They are on course to do that right now but face a stiffer test going forward, with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur Next up for Clement’s men a week on Thursday before another Battle of Britain clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford in mid-January.

Gers then round off their campaign at home to Belgians Union Saint Gilloise and Cerny wants his side to go full out for as many points as possible. Asked if he felt confident enough to say Gers had definitely qualified for the next stage, the Czech winger - who hit the opener at the Allianz Rivera - said: “I think if we win the next one, then it's sure. But it’s not sure yet. We have three amazing games to play.

“Why wouldn't we want to end in the top? That needs to be the drive and that needs to be the goal. Obviously, we know how the stand is right now, that it's positive, positive looking. Let's keep on pushing and enjoy those games.”