Established Rangers stars fired warning as summer recruit vows to seize chance after Danny Rohl showdown talks
The towering centre-back was called into action against Livingston amid a serious defensive injury crisis
Emmanuel Fernandez cost Rangers a whopping £3.5 million - but the forgotten summer signing admits he’s determined to grab his big opportunity after an inauspicious start to his Ibrox career.
The towering central defender, signed from Peterborough United, had made just two appearances under previous boss Russell Martin. But the Londoner was hauled out of cold storage by head coach Danny Rohl for Saturday’s 2-1 Premiership win over Livingston due to a serious defensive injury crisis.
With John Souttar and Derek Cornelius both unavailable. Fernandez stepped in to form a new-look centre-half pairing alongside Wolves loanee Nasser Djiga. And the 24-year-old was at the heart of the action, bulleting a header into the net from James Tavernier’s early corner before surviving a penalty scare.
After seizing his chance to impress, the 6ft 4ins stopper insisted he won’t let Rangers down if he’s to be handed his Europa League debut against Portuguese side Braga on Thursday night.
It’s another must-win fixture for Rohl’s side if his rock-bottom outfit are to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Fernandez said: “If I play, I couldn't be more grateful and I can't wait to play. That would be my first European game and I can't wait to put my stamp on the game and show what I can do.”
Fernandez quickly found himself stuck on the fringes of the Light Blues squad as the Govan side got off to a nightmare start, with German boss Rohl left to pick up the piece following Martin’s dismissal.
However, the former Sheffield Wednesday gaffer has mounting injury woes to contend with. But Fernandez is hoping his team mates misfortune will present himself with an opportunity.
He continued: “I have confidence in myself and belief in myself to be better and play good, to be fair.
“Obviously, John and Derek are injured and there's been a lot of competition recently. They're very good players, international players. But I've got to take my opportunity. If I am playing Thursday, I've got to take it and grab it with my hands.
“Obviously, I was out injured for a bit and I haven't had a lot of minutes, so it's difficult to put me into a game. But look, now I've got my opportunity and I've just got to take it and hopefully I stay in the team.”
Emmanuel Fernandez has no regrets over Rangers move
Despite a challenging start to life in Glasgow, Fernandez confessed he has no regrets about moving north of the border. The Englishman revealed he chapped on Rohl’s door to ask if he had a future under him - and was pleased to hear the answer.
“The new gaffer has been very understanding,” he added. “I went to speak to him about getting an opportunity to play and he's told me, I've just got to work hard, train.
“No, never (had any regrets). And that’s the thing about football, you will always be in uncomfortable situations and it’s how you get through them.
“So you have to just get through the receiving end of them and see how it goes because there’s not many clubs that you’ll go do, especially when you’re stepping up a level, when you’re going to play straight away.
“You have to wait for your turn, and then hopefully when you get your chance, you take it. Obviously, it’s tough (not playing), but it’s something I’ve experienced before in my old team, it makes you grow as a person.
“And, over periods, you just have to train hard, work hard, and that’s going to hopefully get you in the team in the future.”