Emmanuel Fernandez: Rangers defender identifies key to Scottish Premiership title challenge

Emmanuel Fernandez believes Rangers’ togetherness can help them mount a serious challenge for the Scottish Premiership title this season.

The Light Blues have not won the league since 2020/21, while Celtic have claimed the past five consecutive titles, including last season’s.

Rangers were involved in the title race for much of the previous campaign, but their challenge weakened after a series of poor results towards the end of the season. They eventually finished third, behind champions Celtic and runners-up Hearts.

Fernandez was one of Rangers’ most important players during that campaign. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Season award, as well as selection in the Scottish PFA Team of the Season.

The defender has faced a more difficult start this term and has been criticised for some of his displays. However, he believes he can rediscover the form that made him such a key figure last season.

Rangers have made a stronger start after some early difficulties and have collected 16 points from their opening six games. That leaves them two points behind Celtic at the top of the table.

The club are again seeking to challenge their city rivals for the title, with the absence of European football potentially allowing them to focus entirely on domestic competition. Fernandez believes the unity within the squad could prove decisive as the season develops.

He also stressed that consistency would be essential, both for his own performances and for the team as a whole, if Rangers are to sustain their title bid.

Makhanya impresses in new defensive partnership

Fernandez has formed a new centre-back partnership with South African youngster Olwethu Makhanya this season.

The Super Eagles defender said he had been impressed by Makhanya’s progress and admitted the youngster had surprised him with how quickly he adapted after joining Rangers.

Fernandez will now switch his focus to international duty with Nigeria, who face Guinea-Bissau in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier later today.

He was an unused substitute as Nigeria opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar. The Rangers defender will hope to return to the starting line-up and contribute against Guinea-Bissau.