Ibrox View: Rangers star's turnaround highlights baffling Russell Martin approach even further

Emmanuel Fernandez has been a vital component of Rangers‘ success this season – something few would have predicted off the back of Russell Martin‘s short and unhappy tenure.

Rangers took a punt on Peterborough United’s Fernandez last summer and initially, it didn’t look like the move would work out.

He was behind the likes of John Souttar, Nasser Djiga, and Derek Cornelius in the centre-back pecking order at the start of the season.

Fernandez struggled under Martin, with the 24-year-old not in the Rangers squad for five games in a row in September and October.

Now, though, Fernandez is one of Rangers’ most important players under Danny Rohl, in what has been a remarkable change in fortunes.

Few predicted Emmanuel Fernandez’s rise

By the time November had rolled around, Fernandez had played just twice for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Now, though, the 24-year-old is an ever-present figure for the Gers amid their SPL title push.

Via Sofascore, he has scored five goals from an Expected Goals tally of 3.67, averaging 4.8 ball recoveries per game, and 6.8 clearances. Moreover, Fernandez has chalked up nine clean sheets.

The towering defender is at 72 per cent for aerial duels won, and 69 per cent for total duels won, while averaging 1.7 tackles per game.

Fernandez is also in the top 10 per cent among centre-backs in the league (if they have played more than 1,000 minutes of football) for possession-adjusted interceptions and sliding tackles.

He is also in the top 20 per cent for sliding tackles per 90, aerial duels won, and passing accuracy. None of this seemed possible during Martin’s spell in the dugout.

If Rangers are to win their first league title since 2021, Fernandez is likely to play a big role in that, with only five games left to play.

Rangers may have to fight to keep Fernandez

Not only has Fernandez gone from a no-hoper at Rangers to a key player at the club, but he is attracting transfer interest.

If the Scottish giants want to kick on, Rangers have to retain Fernandez.

He still has more than three years left on his Ibrox deal, amid links with Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayer Leverkusen.

One way that may help them keep hold of him for longer is by winning the league title in the coming weeks.

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