Why Derek McInnes should still have Emmanuel Fernandez worry at Rangers

Emmanuel Fernandez has been forging a strong partnership with Olwethu Makhanya at Rangers.

The Gers are on a seven-match winning streak across all competitions under Derek McInnes.

Six of those have come in the Scottish Premiership, the latest of which was 3-1 win over Kilmarnock last weekend.

Rangers success is being built partly on the backbone of a defence that is looking nice and settled under McInnes.

Dujon Sterling and James Penrice have impressed at full-back, with Makhanya and Fernandez McInnes' chosen centre-back pairing in front of goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.

But former Celtic player Peter Grant, once also on the backroom staff at Parkhead, thinks McInnes should always be worried about Fernandez.

What concern does Peter Grant have over Emmanuel Fernandez at Rangers?

Rangers paid around £3.5million to sign Fernandez from Peterborough United in July 2025.

He made 27 Scottish Premiership appearances last term, and contributed five league goals from defence.

Fernandez has come under scrutiny for some erratic performances at times, though next to Makhanya he has looked a lot more settled.

Grant acknowledged that the 25-year-old can be a strong performer for Rangers.

However, he thinks Fernandez always has an error in him, and for that reason McInnes will always have a concern over him.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, McInnes said: "Yeah he does (look more composed), but for me there's always an error.

"I'd always be worried if I'm Derek with him in the team, and I don't care because he's proven that time and time again.

"I've seen a bit of his football at Peterborough and it didn't matter, he can be brilliant for three or four on the bounce, but he's always got that mistake in that 90 minutes."

Rangers ace Fernandez can do his talking on the pitch

There's only one way to prove the detractors wrong, and that is always by performing on the pitch.

Fernandez has had his moments in a Rangers shirt, no one is denying that.

But the Gers have conceded only five goals in the league, with Celtic (four) the only team with a better defensive record.

Moreover, during their winning run they have shipped just two goals, so the proof is in the pudding.

Ferandez should just ignore the external noise, focus on his own game, and just keep getting better and better alongside Makhanya.