Soccer
Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers arrives. Copyright: ImagoxJamiexJohnstonx
Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez is facing pressure at Rangers after concerns emerged over his performances during pre-season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 25-year-old centre-back enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign at Ibrox last season, silencing doubts to win the club’s Player of the Year award while also earning his maiden senior Nigeria call-up.
His impressive displays did not go unnoticed, garnering interest from Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. However, with a new manager now in charge at Rangers, Fernandez could find himself fighting to retain his starting place.
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According to senior Scottish journalist Scott McDermott, the former Peterborough United defender risks testing the patience of Rangers boss Derek McInnes if he continues making avoidable defensive errors ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.
Soccer Scott McDermott explains why Emmanuel Fernandez is under pressure
Writing in his latest column for the Daily Record, McDermott warned that Fernandez’s tendency to overcomplicate situations in his own defensive half could become a major issue under McInnes.
The Nigerian defender came under scrutiny during Rangers’ pre-season outings against Saint-Etienne and West Ham United, where opposition attackers frequently targeted his side of the defence.
While McDermott acknowledged Fernandez’s physicality, composure and ability to play out from the back, he suggested the defender occasionally takes unnecessary risks with horizontal passes close to his own penalty area, something that visibly frustrated McInnes on the touchline.
The new Rangers manager is determined to rebuild a defence based on discipline after last season’s collapse, when the Gers conceded 17 goals in seven post-split matches before finishing third behind Celtic and Hearts.
McDermott believes McInnes will have little tolerance for defensive lapses, regardless of a player’s technical ability or value in the transfer market.
Fernandez’s position has become even more competitive following the arrival of South African defender Olwethu Makhanya, who has been brought in to strengthen Rangers’ backline ahead of the new campaign.
✍️ We can today confirm the signing of defender Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union on an initial four-year deal, with the option of an additional year, subject to international clearance.
👉 https://t.co/vRHdOurCNq pic.twitter.com/8tRVQmQbNf
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 30, 2026
Although Fernandez remains one of the club’s most talented defenders, McDermott warned that continued concentration lapses could see the Super Eagles star lose his place in the starting XI.
The former Peterborough man is expected to feature when Rangers begin their Scottish Premiership campaign against Dundee United tomorrow, but the fixture could decide his place in the Gers team for the season.
Having established himself as a fan favourite in his first season, Fernandez must now convince McInnes that he can combine his ball-playing qualities with the defensive discipline the new manager demands, especially after the 55-year-old praised him a few days ago.
Failure to do so could hand Makhanya the opportunity to force his way into Rangers’ starting lineup just weeks into the new season.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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