Richard Foster backs Peter Grant’s view on Emmanuel Fernandez after Rangers-Celtic controversy

Rangers may have secured another Old Firm victory on Sunday, but Emmanuel Fernandez found himself at the centre of a major talking point during the 1-0 win over Celtic.

Ryan Naderi’s goal was enough to give Derek McInnes’ side a second successive victory over their rivals, following the 3-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final triumph at Ibrox the previous weekend.

The result also extended Rangers’ winning run to six matches in all competitions and moved them to within two points of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

However, there was a moment during the match when Rangers could have been reduced to 10 men.

Fernandez had already been booked when he was involved in another challenge on Benjamin Nygren, with referee John Beaton deciding against showing the Rangers defender a second yellow card.

Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant felt the decision was incorrect.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Grant argued that Fernandez had been fortunate to remain on the pitch after the two incidents.

“Let’s talk about Fernandez, he’s lucky to still be on the pitch,” Grant said.

He believed the first incident could have resulted in a booking before insisting the second challenge warranted another yellow card.

“Definitely the second one it’s a booking, 100% it’s a booking,” Grant added.

“The referee knows if he gives a free-kick he’s got to send him off. People will tell you it’s early in the game, it’s a Celtic-Rangers game you don’t want to ruin it. But listen, the rules are the rules, you have to do it.”

Former Rangers defender Richard Foster was then asked for his assessment and largely agreed with Grant’s interpretation of the second incident.

“I think he’s lucky he’s still on the pitch,” Foster said.

Foster felt the first challenge was defensible as a yellow card, but believed the second offence was different given Nygren’s position as he moved towards the Rangers penalty area.

“Nygren’s running into the box, there are covering defenders, he could shoot from his touch. It’s the definition of a promising attack,” he explained.

Foster also rejected the idea that the timing of the incident should have influenced the referee’s decision.

“Peter’s right, the fact it’s early in the game makes no odds,” he said.

“If he’s committed two fouls that are a booking, I don’t know why he issued him a second yellow card.”

The former Rangers defender added that he had watched the incident again before reaching his conclusion.

“I saw it and I saw it again this morning. Bobby Madden was reviewing it, it’s not often I agree with him, but it’s a second booking.”

The incident will inevitably form part of the discussion around Sunday’s Old Firm clash, particularly given the fine margins involved in such fixtures.

Rangers were ultimately able to hold on for another victory and, based on the overall performance, deserved the three points.

However, there is little doubt Fernandez was fortunate that his second challenge did not result in a dismissal, with both Grant and Foster reaching the same conclusion about the incident.

For McInnes, the bigger picture remains extremely positive. Rangers have now beaten Celtic twice in the space of eight days, won six games in succession and have significantly closed the gap at the top of the Premiership.

The Fernandez controversy may dominate some of the post-match discussion, but it did not prevent Rangers from leaving Celtic Park with another important three points.