Emmanuel Fernandez addresses criticism after slow start to Rangers season

Super Eagles and Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez has responded to criticism of his performances following his slow start to the 2026-27 season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The centre back has endured a difficult start to the new campaign and has come under criticism for some of his performances in the early stages of the season.

Fernandez joined the Gers from English club Peterborough United last summer and enjoyed an impressive debut campaign. He helped Rangers challenge for the title, although they eventually fell short in the race, with Celtic and Hearts finishing ahead of them.

His performances during the campaign earned him Rangers' Men's Player of the Season award, while he was also the club's only representative in the PFA Scotland Team of the Season.

However, the defender has struggled to replicate that form so far this season and has faced criticism, particularly following Rangers' disappointing Europa League qualifying campaign. 

The Scottish giants were eventually eliminated from the qualifiers and failed to secure European football for the first time since 2017.

Emmanuel Fernandez responds to early-season criticism

Rangers face St Mirren later today in search of another win as they continue their rise up the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) standings.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Emmanuel Fernandez insisted that he does not pay too much attention to what is being said about him and instead focuses on improving himself and becoming a better player for the club.

“I don’t really look into what is said about me. I just try to focus on myself and try to improve to be better”, the Nigerian defender said, via The Scottish Sun.

“Every day I want to be better, and I know when something I’ve done is bad, and I know that I need to improve on it.

“But I’m still growing as a player, and it’s something I know I will improve on eventually. 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 and the small things. Sometimes they’re the ones that could cause a goal to come against us, or an attack to come against us.

“It’s about limiting opportunities for teams to have attacks against us. That’s the main thing we talk about”, Fernandez continued.

On Rangers ambition for the season

Rangers have now won three games in a row and are gradually recovering from their slow start to the season. Despite missing out on European qualification, Fernandez believes Rangers can still improve and challenge for trophies this season.

The Super Eagles centre-back is confident the togetherness within the squad has improved and that there is still more to come from the team.

“I feel like the togetherness is getting better”, the Rangers star added.

“And I feel like, as a team, maybe our performances haven’t been better from the Aberdeen game, but we’ve grown as a team. We’re growing, and I still think there’s more to come. Look, obviously we had a bad start not being in Europe. It was difficult. The manager spoke to us and showed us that there’s still three trophies that are available to win.

“We have a domestic charge that we can still push for and be confident where we have the possibility of doing something great.

“And I feel like him showing us that, and showing us how we need to get the fans behind us and everyone behind us, that’s the positivity he has brought.

“Within the team, the togetherness and the leaders within the group is something the manager has brought”, the Super Eagles defender concluded.

Fernandez will be hoping to continue his recent resurgence when Rangers welcome St Mirren to Ibrox later today as they look to secure another positive result and extend their winning run to four games.