Rangers told they have to accelerate Emmanuel Fernandez exit as issue becomes clear

Rangers have been urged to consider selling Emmanuel Fernandez.

The Nigerian has gone from strength to strength since joining the Ibrox club last summer.

He made 33 appearances as the Govan side finished third in the Scottish Premiership last season in a brilliant debut campaign.

He reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Borussia Dortmund.

However, he remained with the Bears despite that interest and is still being talked about as a potential departure.

Now, the Light Blues have been given an issue which may see them want to part ways with the 24-year-old, sooner rather than later.

What is the issue that may force Rangers into Emmanuel Fernandez sale?

Fernandez's age has been highlighted as a potential problem that has became clear for the Ibrox outfit.

Jonny McFarlane believes that they may have to listen to offers for Fernandez soon due to the fact that he is turning 25 soon.

Speaking on Rangers Review's Friday Morning Briefing, he said: “If Manny Fernandez was 22, then it’s a different market, I think.

“At 25, which I think he turns in mid-November, in a month, that is going to be something that means Rangers have to accelerate a transfer move.

“All these factors play in to when is the right time to move a player on, once a player gets to 27/28, it starts to become an issue”

Given the way that football is going, that argument may be true, as clubs are reluctant to fork out big sums on older players.

Why Rangers should try to keep Fernandez regardless

Rangers should try to keep Fernandez around for as long as possible, unless two unlikely scenarios happen.

The first is that they bring someone in the transfer market and they show that they can play at the same level or better than the three-cap international.

The second is that a player emerges from the academy who then proves himself able to handle the rigours of the elite level.

Findlay Curtis has shown that is a possibility in recent months, with his stunning rise to stardom after being on loan at Kilmarnock, getting in the Scotland squad and the first-team under Derek McInnes.

Fernandez has been a key player for McInnes, playing 13 times so far this season, so it would surely take a very big offer for the Gers to cash in.

The obsession with selling their best talent is a bizarre one, obviously they need some sales to bring in big money additions, but they should be trying to build the best possible team to beat Celtic domestically.

Keeping Fernandez would definitely help them to achieve that ambition.