Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Wed 18 March 2026 19:10, UK

Rangers agreed to a goal clause as part of their deal to sign defender Emmanuel Fernandez.

That is according to Rangers Review writer Chris Jack, who has done a deep dive on Fernandez’s switch from Peterborough to the Scottish giants.

The towering defender had spent much of his career in non-league before shining at the League One outfit last season.

That convinced Rangers to fork out £3million for his services on a four-year deal last summer, plus there is an option to extend that another 12 months.

Rangers are reportedly already bracing themselves for transfer interest in the 24-year-old centre-back, but hope to keep hold of him for another season at least.

Peterborough have high hopes for Emmanuel Fernandez

Jack states that Peterborough were determined to include a goal clause in the deal, such was their confidence that the defender would be a regular scorer.

Moreover, the Posh inserted a sell-on fee that is likely to benefit them for “some time to come”.

This is highlighted by the fact that Peterborough sporting director, Barry Fry, has predicted Fernandez could be worth up to £40m one day.

It would be interesting to see just how many goals he has to score for that clause to be triggered, with it being unusual for a defender.

So far this season, Fernandez has scored five times in 20 Scottish Premiership games and has six in 26 matches in all competitions.

There is no reason the former Barnet loanee, who has just been called up to Nigeria’s squad for the first time, couldn’t hit double figures for Rangers this season as they try to win the league title.

Jack adds that Fernandez, whose valuation is significantly increasing, is unlikely to see out the remainder of his Rangers contract but he may remain with them until 2027 at the very least.

Former Rangers boss Russell Martin was reluctant to use Fernandez as a regular, but his successor, Danny Rohl, has no such concerns.

Rangers can afford no more slip-ups

After beating Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox in mid-March, Rangers were just two points behind the league leaders, with Celtic a few points adrift.

But damaging draws with 10-man Motherwell, basement side Livingston, and throwing away a two-goal lead over Celtic saw Hearts’ advantage at the top stretch to six points.

A rare loss for Hearts on Saturday means Celtic and Rangers, who narrowly beat St. Mirren on Sunday, are within three points of Derek McInnes’ side with just three games left before the first phase of the league season draws to a close.

Despite having the best away record in the division, Rangers will be relieved to get back to Ibrox in their next two games when they host Aberdeen and Dundee United.

They have won nine of their 15 matches at home, compared to seven on their travels. If Rangers want to win the title, they can ill afford anymore slip-ups.

Questions are being asked of Rohl during the run-in, but his players need to stand up and be counted.

This could be the making of this Gers squad, especially Fernandez.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.