Emmanuel Fernandez opens up on Rangers pressure after rocky start as defender finds top form

Emmanuel Fernandez has admitted he enjoys the pressure that comes with playing for Rangers after emerging from a difficult start to the season and rediscovering his best form at Ibrox.

The 25-year-old was one of the standout performers in the Rangers defence last season, with his displays reportedly attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe.

Stade Rennes, Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund were among the sides linked with the centre-back during the summer, but Fernandez ultimately remained in Glasgow.

His start to the new campaign was less convincing, however, as Derek McInnes continued to reshape his squad and experiment with different defensive combinations.

Fernandez found himself under scrutiny during the opening weeks, but his fortunes have changed alongside Olwethu Makhanya.

The pair have established themselves as McInnes’ preferred centre-back partnership and have helped Rangers record successive victories over Celtic. The Ibrox side have also conceded just once across their last six matches.

Fernandez is now away on international duty with Nigeria and has reflected on the pressure he experienced during Rangers’ early-season struggles.

Speaking to Football Fans Tribe, the defender said: “It is a lot of pressure playing for a team like Glasgow Rangers. It is enjoyable.

“I feel like there are going to be moments in the season where you feel maybe under pressure but obviously you need to get through it, you need to show how good you are, so you can get through it, that’s where you build your mentality as a player.”

Fernandez’s attention has now turned to Nigeria, with the Rangers defender in contention to make his competitive debut for the Super Eagles against Madagascar on Friday.

The opportunity is particularly significant for a player who says he has been waiting for the chance throughout his career.

“I was excited,” Fernandez said when discussing his call-up.

“It is something I have been waiting for my whole career. I have had a turbulent journey throughout my career but I am grateful and happy to be here.

“It will be an ecstatic feeling because I have never played in Nigeria. It is something I have always wanted to do.”

Fernandez is also expecting a difficult test against Madagascar and believes Nigeria will have to match their opponents’ intensity.

“I am expecting Madagascar to be very strong team and I feel like they are going to have a lot of resilient and energy, that’s something we are going to need to match and show our quality through matching their energy.”