Rangers: Barry Ferguson backtracks as Emmanuel Fernandez proves everyone wrong at Ibrox
Rangers will surely be delighted to see Emmanuel Fernandez thriving after his big-money move from Peterborough United last summer.
Barry Ferguson had his doubts about the centre-back after the Gers spent £3million to sign him, but it’s safe to say that he’s proven his doubters wrong.
Most fans in G51 criticised the Light Blues’ recruitment strategy after the 24-year-old defender had an underwhelming start to the campaign, but the Ibrox hierarchy will now arguably be delighted with the deal.
Andrew Cavenagh will look to profit off Fernandez in the coming years, but for now, Danny Rohl is bringing the best out of the Nigeria international at the Glaswegian outfit.
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Emmanuel Fernandez season by numbers at Rangers
Fernandez has struck an impressive partnership with Nasser Djiga at the Gers, something that most supporters wouldn’t have expected a few months back.
The former Peterborough star has made 21 appearances in the William Hill Premiership for the Light Blues this season, scoring five goals with a conversion rate of 19 per cent, and the defender could’ve had more, missing six big chances, as per Sofascore.
Apart from being an aerial threat in the opposition box, the centre-back is dominant defensively as well, winning 72 per cent of his aerial duels and 66 per cent of his ground duels.
The 6’4″ star is also technically sound, completing 88 per cent of his passes, 45 per cent of his long balls and completing 67 per cent of his dribbles, 0.5 per game.
It isn’t surprising to see the likes of Borussia Dortmund eyeing Fernandez, having helped the Glaswegian outfit keep nine clean sheets in the league, making 1.8 tackles, recovering the ball 4.7 times and clearing the ball 6.8 times on average per game.
Speaking on Five Stars VIP, Ferguson said, “We spent £3m on him. I’ll be honest with you, at the start, I wasn’t too sure. But then again, he’s not played a lot of football, it’s a new environment, and I just think each game that’s passed by, he’s got better and stronger.”
Danny Rohl must demand one summer transfer at Ibrox
Djiga has been sensational for Rangers since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations with Burkina Faso.
The 23-year-old signed for the Gers on a season-long loan from Wolves last summer, but it would make sense for them to push for his return to Govan.
As things stand, John Souttar and Derek Cornelius are the only other two natural centre-backs at Rohl’s disposal, with the Canada international expected to return to Olympique Marseille at the end of the campaign.
The German manager should push for Djiga’s permanent transfer to the Glaswegian outfit, with the Burkinabe ace capable of being part of their backline for years to come alongside Fernandez.
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