Peterborough chief makes ‘awful’ claim after mega Fernandez transfer to Rangers
Peterborough United chief Darragh MacAnthony has reacted as Rangers sign Emmanuel Fernandez this transfer window.
The 23-year-old became the second defender to walk through the door at the Gers to strengthen Russell Martin’s squad after Max Aarons was signed on loan from Bournemouth.
Fernandez’s move to Ibrox will cost around £3.5million, including add-ons, indicating the Light Blues’ faith in the centre-back.
The Posh’s chairman has now expressed his delight at the role he played in the English defender’s transfer to the Glaswegian outfit.
MacAnthony delighted to play part in Fernandez transfer to Rangers after awful Peterborough season
MacAnthony is delighted to have played a part in selling Fernandez to the Gers.
The Posh chairman signed the 23-year-old for free in July 2021 before becoming a pivotal player for the League One outfit, and he now moves to Ibrox in a blockbuster deal.
MacAnthony admits the Cambridgeshire club had an awful season, finishing 18th in the league table, but the English defender’s transfer highlights that they are an excellent club to develop youngsters.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Minutes played |
| League One | 30 | 5 | 2380 |
MacAnthony wrote on X (2 July): “Delighted to play a part in taking a young man for £0, let our wonderful coaches do their thing, the club have an awful season, winning another trophy, and see him end up at a Champions League club in another blockbuster deal.
“Another message to all young talent out there and their agents that regardless of recent ‘short term’ sentiment regarding us being written off — is the place to come and has been for many years.”
Fernandez needs to prove worth to Martin after Ibrox transfer
Robin Propper is expected to leave Ibrox, with FC Twente working on his return to the Netherlands this summer.
Leon Balogun’s departure left a void in the Gers’ defence, which Fernandez can hopefully fill.
The Light Blues might not stop at just the ex-Peterborough defender’s addition to the backline, with Leicester City’s Conor Coady heavily being linked with a move to Glasgow.
Rangers also have Wolves centre-back Nasser Djiga on their radar, with a loan move from the Premier League outfit under consideration.
The Gers have the likes of John Souttar and Dujon Sterling in their ranks, but their consistent fitness issues make them unreliable.
If the Light Blues do manage to sign three central defenders this summer, questions will be raised about the future of Clinton Nsiala at Ibrox.
The former AC Milan youngster broke into the starting lineup under Philippe Clement but struggled for game time after Barry Ferguson’s appointment.
With the relatively massive investment being made in Fernandez, Kevin Thelwell will undoubtedly be hoping he develops further in G51 and makes the Bears a hefty profit in the future.