Rangers Defender Breaks Silence After Criticism: How Can the Club Use Him Best?

Rangers Defender Breaks Silence After Criticism: How Can the Club Use Him Best? Emmanuel Fernandez has ignored the outside noise after Rangers stumbled through the opening weeks of the season, with the defender saying his attention stays on improving his game rather than reading media reaction. The centre-back has retained his place for Derek McInnes, starting alongside Olwethu Makhanya even after Ben Godfrey returned to the squad, and recent results have offered some relief after the club’s European qualifying exit. Rangers followed the setbacks by winning against Aberdeen and Motherwell, with clean sheets in both matches, strengthening the case for Fernandez’s continued selection. Speaking about the criticism, he said he knows when he has played badly and accepts that he still has plenty to learn. He explained that his conversations with McInnes focus on concentration during key moments, especially the small details that can create an opening for an opponent. “I just try to focus on myself and try and improve, being better. Every day I want to be better. “I know when something I’ve done is bad, and I know that I need to improve on it. But it’s something, like I’m still growing as a player and something I know that I will improve on eventually. And I just focus on the demands of the club and myself as well. “Maybe it’s just concentration in moments. Like, if we do have a chat, it’s concentration in moments, the small things. “Sometimes they’re the ones that could cause a goal to come against us or an attack to come against us, and it’s limiting opportunities for teams to have attacks against us. And that’s the main thing we talk about.” The report came from USA Today through an exclusive subscriber partnership with the Glasgow Times . Rangers have a defender worth developing Fernandez’s own assessment deserves more attention than the noise around him. He doesn’t pretend every performance has met the club’s standard. Instead, he accepts mistakes, then points to a specific area for improvement: concentration. PORTO, PORTUGAL – JANUARY 29: Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers looks on during warm ups prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between FC Porto and Rangers FC at Estadio do Dragao on January 29, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images) That matters because his physical qualities give Rangers a useful defensive base. At 6ft 4in, he brings size in duels and aerial situations, while his passing can support structured build-up when he receives clear options nearby. The previous season produced 31 appearances and five league goals, showing he can contribute at both ends. There is a tactical issue, though. Fernandez can look exposed when Rangers lose the ball, and opponents attack the space behind him quickly. That weakness becomes sharper when he must turn and recover over long distances. A quicker, sweep-minded partner such as Godfrey could cover that space, while a back three with Makhanya could give Fernandez more freedom to attack aerial balls. Rangers can ease the pressure with structure Rangers can help him further by keeping midfield support close during build-up, giving him short passing options instead of forcing ambitious balls. His European passing record of 92% supports that approach. Rangers’ wins matter because they give McInnes evidence, not excuses. Fernandez has started through criticism, kept two recent clean sheets and continued to discuss the details that can cut out attacks before they become chances. That is a far more useful response than trying to win every argument outside the pitch too, at a club where every defensive mistake can attract immediate attention quickly.