Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Fri 27 March 2026 7:10, UK

Emmanuel Fernandez has very quickly become one of Rangers‘ most important players.

Heading into the final stage of the season, the Light Blues sit just three points behind table-topping Hearts, having now played the same number of games.

For Rangers to climb to the summit of the Scottish Premiership, they will need the likes of Mikey Moore and Youssef Chermiti to deliver in the final third, as they have recently.

But Rangers’ title hopes hinge just as much on their defensive stability, of which Fernandez has been an integral component.

The aspect of Emmanuel Fernandez’s game that will draw the most attention

Fernandes is an outstanding defender, but his skillset goes far beyond what he can do off the ball, with his ability on it just as impressive.

For a 24-year-old centre-back, his ball-playing ability is up there with the best in Europe, and will be the main reason behind inevitable interest in the summer.

His five goals cannot be matched by any other centre-back in the Scottish Premiership, while his 10 successful dribbles also place him among the top 7.1 per cent.

Fernandez has won 68.8 per cent of his duels this season, which is a showcase of his high-level physicality that has allowed him to dominate attackers more often than not.

However, while all of these things are benefiting Rangers right now, they will also have attracted interest from plenty of top European clubs.

Can Rangers afford to lose Fernandez?

Yes and no.

The same question was asked of Hamza Igamane last summer, and while his impact would still have been felt this season, the Gers have coped well without him while having received the finances to improve elsewhere.

That would be the case again in the summer with Fernandez if he were to leave, but given his performances, Rangers need to hold out for a very high fee.

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