Ex-Rangers star explains why Emmanuel Fernandez avoided red against Celtic

Former Scotland midfielder Andy Halliday has weighed in on a controversial decision involving Nigerian defender Emmanuel Fernandez during Sunday’s Old Firm derby, Soccernet.ng reports.

Rangers and Celtic clashed at Parkhead in the second Old Firm derby of the season, with Rangers securing a 1-0 victory to record their second win over their rivals in a week and close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to two points.

The Light Blues had already defeated Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals to book their place in the semi-finals before claiming another victory in the latest meeting.

Ryan Ndjieri scored the only goal of the game in the first half to seal another important win for Rangers.

However, one of the major talking points came in the 16th minute after Fernandez fouled Benjamin Nygren. The Nigerian defender had already been booked in the fourth minute, and another yellow card would have resulted in his dismissal.

Despite the foul, the referee decided against showing Fernandez a second yellow card, allowing him to remain on the pitch and eventually help Rangers secure a favourable result.

Emmanuel Fernandez: Why Nigerian star remained on the pitch for Rangers against Celtic

Speaking after the match, former Rangers midfielder Halliday admitted that Fernandez was fortunate to avoid a red card and suggested the timing of the incident may have influenced the referee's decision.

“Could easily have been a caution. Enough for a second yellow. Lucky to escape it. For me, it's a clear foul and a cautionable offence. Therefore, it’s a second yellow and a red card”, Halliday said, via Daily Record.

“See, for me, he can’t have any complaints if he is given a second yellow card. I think when you watch it back, they kick it into each other. Sometimes it’s a yellow, sometimes it isn’t.

“I think he is very lucky at that moment in time. The only thing that saved him is that it’s so early in the game and he is already on a booking. I think if that’s in the 80th minute, I think that is a sending off.”

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton also agreed with Halliday’s assessment of the incident while speaking after the match and revealed that Emmanuel Fernandez could have been sent off.

“That’s reckless. He’s a lucky boy, he really is,” Sutton said.

Fernandez endured another shaky start but eventually grew into the game and helped Rangers hold on for the important victory.

The Nigerian defender will now turn his attention to the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month, hoping to put his recent shaky form behind him and help Eric Chelle’s secure positive results.