If there is one Rangers player who is under more pressure than most this coming Sunday, it is Emmanuel Fernandez. Fernandez all season has been Rangers’ weakest link. With all the dopamine and serotonin flowing through Rangers fans’ veins at the moment, there has been a bit more generosity following the Old Firm clean sheet between himself and Olwethu Makhanya.
Emmanuel Fernandez Rangers pressure is growing
However, the reality is that his positioning, decision making and general composure on the ball are still extremely lacking when it comes to Rangers defending. He is absolutely the weakest link in the team in a number of areas. However, as we have mentioned before, the reasons for his selection are his excellence with aerial clearances and his left footed nature. That gives Rangers balance in defence, even if Derek McInnes randomly has him on the right and Makhanya on the left.
So, the reasons for his selection are clear and the results justify them. However, he is always the player who has Rangers fans’ hearts in their mouths. That will be huge at Parkhead. He will be a massive target for Celtic.
Emmanuel Fernandez could be targeted
Martin O’Neill will be well aware that there is little point in dumping a whole bunch of crosses into the box because Fernandez is going to soak them up and head them away with great ease. He is a very, very big boy. However, ground based play and transitions, which turn his blood inside out, are what Celtic may aim for. They are going to 100% target Fernandez for this purpose.
Makhanya has shown that he is a cool customer. He will not be as dominant in the air, but on the ground he is almost impassable. He is a very strong player and robust as hell while keeping that very cool head. Fernandez is a bit different. He does not have the same composure and he is extremely vulnerable when put under pressure.
Emmanuel Fernandez Rangers pressure needs support
Celtic will 100% go for that and Fernandez is going to need a lot of help from Makhanya to get through this one unscathed. The Nigerian international has not been in great form this season. He has been interested in the potential of a move away and the hype surrounding that. With the window closed, we cannot say we have seen an awful lot different since then.
Fans are, of course, being generous and attributing more quality to him based on the fact that the results are good. However, the truth is that his performances have just not been up to scratch. He remains the weak link with lazy passes and poor concentration.
Emmanuel Fernandez Rangers pressure peaks at Parkhead
He has to get that so much stronger at Parkhead. He could be the reason Rangers do not win. He could even be the reason Rangers lose and he does not want that. Nobody does.
At the end of the day, this is a huge pressure litmus test for Emmanuel Fernandez and we really hope he comes through it.