Emmanuel Fernandez: Ex-Rangers forward reveals how Nigerian star can rediscover form

Former Rangers and Scotland striker Kevin Kyle has weighed in on Emmanuel Fernandez’s difficult start to the season and has revealed what could help the Nigerian defender return to his best, Soccernet.ng reports.

Fernandez has endured a tough start to the 2026/27 campaign with the Light Blues, with his performances falling well below the level he showed during his impressive debut season at the club.

The Super Eagles defender has also been targeted by opposition attackers in several games and his performances have come under criticism from several ex-players.

Fernandez joined Rangers in 2025 from English club Peterborough United and immediately raised the bar with his performances during his first season at Ibrox.

The Nigerian was named Rangers’ Men’s Player of the Season and was also included in the PFA Scotland Team of the Season after scoring six goals from defence in 33 appearances across all competitions.

Kevin Kyle on how Emmanuel Fernandez can return to his best

Emmanuel Fernandez has so far struggled to replicate that form this season, with his defensive partner Olwethu Makhanya receiving plenty of praise for his performances instead.

Kyle believes Makhanya’s impressive start could eventually help Fernandez rediscover his confidence, as the attention surrounding Rangers’ defence may gradually shift away from the Nigerian defender.

“Makhanya’s come in and he’s been outstanding”, the ex-Rangers star told Go Radio, via The Herald.

“He could potentially be the kind of next…the kind of signings that Celtic have made and moved on for bigger money. He could be that version for Rangers. He’s come into the club and basically been thrown into the deep end straight away. I’m not convinced that he was brought in to be a guaranteed starter straight away.

“Ben Godfrey was obviously the one, along with Fernandez. What you’ll probably find, I think, over time, it might be Makhanya and Godfrey together.

“Makhanya’s got all the attributes, he can head the ball, he can pass the ball, he’s aggressive in the tackle, he’s quite quick.

“So for me, over the next lot of weeks, you’ll probably hear people talk more about Makhanya than Fernandez, which might then in turn help Fernandez in a roundabout way because the focus then isn’t on him and he can maybe relax a little bit”, Kyle concluded.

Despite his difficult start to the season with Rangers, Fernandez has been included in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.

Before joining up with the Super Eagles, the defender will be hoping to produce a strong performance when Rangers face Celtic in the Old Firm derby this weekend.