Keith Jackson amazed by Rangers star that’s now ‘impossible to stop’, one man to thank
Keith Jackson is changing his tune around some of Rangers’ players.
During Russell Martin’s reign, the journalist was critical of Joe Rothwell, Mikey Moore and Nico Raskin, while continuously highlighting Rangers’ woeful summer transfer window under Kevin Thelwell.
However, Danny Rohl has done an excellent job at Rangers since he was appointed by Andrew Cavenagh, and Jackson has begun to praise some of the players he crucified earlier on in the campaign.
The Bears sit just three points behind league leaders Hearts, and hardly any supporters can believe that Rohl has Rangers second in the table and fully capable of challenging for the Scottish Premiership.
A lot of credit should also go to the players, and Jackson is shocked by Emmanuel Fernandez’s resurgence in form, with the English defender scoring once again in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox.
Emmanuel Fernandez’s goalscoring form continues to impress
Since signing from Peterborough United for a fee of £3.5million in the summer, Fernandez was slammed for his performances at the start of the season.
However, he has vastly improved under Rohl, and his aerial threat from corners means he is now Rangers’ joint top-scorer in the Scottish Premiership with four goals.
Speaking on the Daily Record Hotline Live on 7 January, Jackson was blown away by the progress the 24-year-old has made.
He said: “Look at Fernandez, a guy who was completely lost at the start of the season.
“With work and coaching on the training ground, he’s starting to look more and more comfortable.
| Players | Goals scored |
| Emmanuel Fernandez, Youssef Chermiti, James Tavernier | 4 |
| Bojan Miovski, Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard | 3 |
| Danilo, Nico Raskin | 2 |
“And, let’s be honest, he’s a hell of an asset in the opposition box. If you can get the delivery right, he’s almost impossible to stop.
“He’s got five goals in all competitions, and he could be on double figures by the end of the season.”
Fernandez scored on his debut during Rangers’ 4-2 win over Alloa Athletic on 16 August, and the towering centre-back is only getting more dangerous from set-piece situations.
It’s incredibly impressive for a defender to keep popping up at the right place in the opposition box, and set-piece coach Scott Fry has overseen a huge transformation at Ibrox.
- Read more: Tuur Rommens whereabouts revealed as 49ers put money where their mouth is for next Rangers deal
Scott Fry needs immense credit for how he’s changed Rangers
Since Fry joined the coaching team on 18 November, Rangers have made the most out of set-pieces.
The changes are most clearly seen through Fernandez, who has scored each of his four Scottish Premiership goals in the last 10 matches.
Across the league this season, only Dundee United and Hearts boast a higher set-piece return than Rangers (12), and no club has outperformed the Light Blues during Fry’s tenure.
Fernandez still has his doubters, and although hitting double figures for goals scored in all competitions seems improbable, he is well on course to do so.
Ultimately, it’s his goals that are getting the Bears over the line in several key matches, and that’s all the fans can ask of him at the moment.
As for Fry, it’s about time he started receiving his flowers as a top-class set-piece coach.
Stay up to date this winter with our Rangers transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Ibrox, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.