Emmanuel Fernandez Sparks Huge Reaction in Nigeria After ‘Remarkable’ Rangers Moment

Nigerian media react as Rangers star Emmanuel Fernandez features in dramatic Russia draw

Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez endured a mixed evening with Nigeria as the Super Eagles fought back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Russia.

Fernandez was handed a starting berth by Eric Chelle, who made nine changes to his team for the international friendly at the Sovcombank Arena.

The centre-back was part of a Nigeria defence that struggled at times, but he also played an important role in the dramatic late comeback.

Former Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring for Nigeria before Russia turned the match around with three unanswered goals.

The Super Eagles refused to surrender, however, with Peter Edokpolor reducing the deficit in the 78th minute before Akor Adams completed the comeback deep into stoppage time.

Fernandez’s contribution to the final goal has been highlighted by some Nigerian outlets, although his overall performance attracted a mixture of praise and criticism.

Fernandez’s mixed night in Russia

The Rangers defender was unable to prevent Nigeria from conceding three times, but he showed another side to his game when the Super Eagles needed an attacking spark.

The Sun Nigeria specifically picked out his involvement in the move that eventually produced Adams’ dramatic equaliser.

“At 90+4 minutes, Fernandez launched a counter-attack before Abdullahi provided the assist for Adams, who kept his composure to finish and make it Russia 3-3 Nigeria,” the outlet reported.

That moment helped underline Fernandez’s ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch, even during an evening when Nigeria’s defensive structure came under pressure.

Soccernet.ng were also encouraged by the Rangers man’s individual display, although they remained critical of Nigeria’s defensive performance as a whole.

“There were encouraging moments from Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez and Abdullahi Bewene, but Russia repeatedly found avenues through Nigeria’s defensive shape,” they noted.

There was a less positive assessment from Sports 247 Nigeria, who pointed towards Fernandez’s involvement in Russia’s third goal.

The outlet described the goal as coming after “more confusion in the heart of the Eagles’ defence”, with Fernandez and Benjamin Fredrick involved as Alexey Miranchuk reacted quickest to a deflection.

It means Fernandez leaves the international break with plenty to reflect on, although there were still clear positives for both the player and Rangers.

Rangers can take positives from Fernandez display

For Derek McInnes, the biggest takeaway may be Fernandez’s continued ability to influence matches even when everything is not going his way.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a significant improvement in form after a difficult opening to the campaign.

There were mistakes during the early weeks of the season, but Fernandez has since become one of Rangers’ more dependable performers.

His partnership with Olwethu Makhanya has been particularly encouraging, with the pair beginning to look increasingly comfortable together at the heart of the Gers defence.

That makes Fernandez’s contribution to Nigeria’s equaliser particularly interesting from a Rangers perspective.

Rather than simply defending a lead or sitting deep, he recognised the opportunity to launch a counter-attack and helped set the move in motion.

It is the sort of quality McInnes will want to see when Fernandez returns to club duty.

The international break may not have gone entirely according to plan for the Rangers defender, but the experience should provide another valuable test.

Fernandez has now earned four Nigeria caps and remains an important part of the country’s plans, while his performances for Rangers have placed him among the club’s most important players.

The priority now will be returning to Auchenhowie refreshed and reproducing the form that helped Rangers turn their season around.

With the Gers chasing domestic success and looking to stay ahead of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, McInnes will hope Fernandez can quickly put his mixed night in Russia behind him.