Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has drawn praise from Rangers boss Danny Rohl after an impressive debut season in Glasgow, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old has had a rapid career rise over the past year, taking a big leap from EFL League One side Peterborough United to competing in the Europa League with the Record Scottish Champions.
Fernandez made his debut for the Nigerian National team last month, coming off the bench in the win against Iran before scoring his first goal for the Super Eagles a few days later against Jordan.
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Rangers boss reveals why he trusts Emmanuel Fernandez
The young centre-back has scored six goals in 27 games for the Gers this season, and Danny Rohl admits that the England-born defender models what it is to be a Rangers player.
“Football is about development. It's about belief. I think it was not easy for him when I arrived,” the German tactician said in an interview with the BBC.
“He was, I will not say far away, but he was not in a position to be a starter. And then there was a little bit of an issue with timing when he got injuries and then he stepped up.
“In general now he puts in a great performance, week by week. There's still things to improve but when you look at it, you sign a player from League One and he goes on to the national team and he scores.
“It's important for us to win something, but besides the results it's also a great way to show players what you can do at Rangers, we want to develop players.
“It's not a secret that part of our business is to create value for the club. I think when you see now how we create the value for money, then he's a little bit of a role model.
“Now it's about playing consistently at this level, not dropping back. He's calm on the ball. He is getting better and better also against the ball.
“There's a reason why I put him in, I trust him. And we should not forget he's still a right-footed player on the left side and he's doing really well in that.
“I'm happy with his development and hope it continues because it's the most important thing in football. It's never about the past, it's always about tomorrow,” Rohl concluded.
Fernandez has been linked with a move to Arsenal and other top European clubs. It'll be a real battle for Rangers to hold onto the Nigerian after a brilliant debut campaign.
