Rangers gem Emmanuel Fernandez silences Peterborough United fans after Nigeria bow
Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez has helped to further silence his doubters after making his senior Nigeria debut, according to UEFA coach John Walker.
Fernandez has starred for Rangers in recent months and earned a first call-up to the Nigeria senior squad in the process.
The 24-year-old arrived from Peterborough United for a fee of around £3million, which was considered a lot for a player in England’s third tier.
However, the centre-back has proved good value for money and his price tag will only have increased in the past seven months or so.
Amid talk that Fernandez could be on the radar of other clubs, the goalscoring defender is continuing to go from strength to strength after making his Nigeria bow.
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Emmanuel Fernandez plays 45 minutes in Nigeria win vs Iran
Fernandez would have been eager to make his bow for the Super Eagles this window and did exactly that on Friday against Iran.
He played 45 minutes in a 2-1 win over the 2026 World Cup participants in Turkey.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Premiership | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| Scottish Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Scottish League Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 6 | 0 |
As pointed out by UEFA-licensed coach John Walker via X, it is “another string to the bow” for Fernandez as he can now call himself a senior Nigeria international.
And Walker also pointed out that “Peterborough fans do seem a lot quieter” now after previously questioning why Rangers paid so much for him.
Fernandez would have been able to shut all that noise out, as he has proved with his displays in the heart of the defence.
While it has not exactly been a perfect season for the Gers – anything but, in fact – Fernandez can hold his head up high.
Fernandez success may come at a cost for Rangers
With good performances, and indeed recognition on a wider scale, comes the inevitable transfer speculation.
Rangers gem Fernandez will no doubt be looked at by other clubs, with some in the higher echelons of English football being linked.
That is something Rangers fans are all too familiar with, however, and it is something that has long been accepted.
Fernandez has three more years to run on his contract at Ibrox, so Rangers will be under no pressure to sell should bids be forthcoming in the summer.
If he does move on, though, then the Gers can expect to more than double what they paid to sign the defender 12 months prior.
That is what you call good business.
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