Rangers manager Derek McInnes defends Emmanuel Fernandez
Rangers boss Derek McInnes has backed defender Emmanuel Fernandez, insisting he has been vital to the team's strong performances this season.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC0 / Author: Johnelwaq
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has defended centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez following criticism of his recent displays. The 25-year-old Nigeria international faced scrutiny after several high-profile mistakes, most notably during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Hearts.
McInnes dismissed the negative narrative surrounding the defender, arguing that critics only focus on him after poor outings. The manager pointed to the player's standout performance against St Johnstone the previous weekend as evidence of his quality, insisting that the recent defensive lapses were a collective failure rather than an individual one.
I only get asked about Fernandez when he has a poor game. Nobody asked me about Fernandez on Saturday, he was outstanding on Saturday. He's been a big part of our better performances this season. Derek McInnes
Looking ahead, Rangers face a significant test on Saturday as they head to Hampden for the Scottish League Cup semi-finals against Aberdeen. Despite their status as favourites, McInnes remains wary of his former club, noting that form often counts for little in high-stakes knockout fixtures.