Emmanuel Fernandez set to play key Rangers role vs Livingston as phenomenal stats emerge
Emmanuel Fernandez has been Rangers’ most important player since Danny Rohl’s arrival in Govan.
Fernandez joined Rangers for £3.5million from League One side Peterborough United in the summer, and he has become a mainstay in the defence.
The 24-year-old was on the periphery of the first-team squad under Russell Martin, and the move looked to be a huge waste of funds after early struggles.
However, since Rohl was appointed on 20 October, he has been crucial to their rise in the Scottish Premiership, with his towering presence from set-piece situations proving to be a real asset.
Rangers travel to face Livingston on Sunday, and although he’ll provide a threat from corners, it’s his quality on the ball that will play a big part in the match.
Emmanuel Fernandez’s fantastic quality on the ball will help Rangers win vs Livingston
With five goals in all competitions this season, it’s not a shock that the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing him.
According to a report from All Nigeria Soccer on 16 February, both Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring Fernandez‘s situation at Rangers ahead of the summer transfer window.
Despite making a mistake with a wayward pass against Hearts on 15 February, the 24-year-old centre-back will be key to breaking down Livingston’s compact defence.
According to Sofascore, he has registered a pass accuracy of 87.9 per cent and has completed nine successful dribbles in the league this season.
| Stat | Fernandez |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Aerial duels won | 75.0% |
| Ground duels won | 69.5% |
As seen in the table above, he has won 75 per cent of his aerial duels, which is a higher success rate than 94.4 per cent of other centre-backs in the Scottish Premiership.
And while he has also made 26 tackles and 25 interceptions, it’s his ability to drive with the ball and pick a pass out wide that makes him so important to Rangers.
The graphic below showcases his qualities both on and off the ball, but there is no doubt that it’s in possession where he’ll be most dangerous at Almondvale Stadium.
Fernandez will certainly have a big say on the match against Livingston, and it’s clear that Marvin Bartley’s side have a huge task on their hands.
- Read more: How to watch today’s Livingston vs Rangers clash: TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
These stats show why Rangers should comfortably beat Livingston
Rangers have won each of their last 11 league games against opponents starting the day at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership since a 1-1 draw with Hamilton in February 2021.
Livingston are winless in their last 12 home league games, which is the longest run by any side within a single Scottish Premiership season since Hamilton in March 2016 (also 12).
The Ibrox outfit have won 10 of their last 11 visits to Livingston in all competitions, including their last seven in a row since a goalless draw in August 2020.
With Fernandez in defence, their fantastic record against the hosts is likely to continue, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the majority of their successful build-up play goes through him.
For all the latest on the Emmanuel Fernandez situation, head over to Football Insider.