Emmanuel Fernandez: Why Super Eagles defender is under scrutiny at Rangers

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has been under scrutiny all season at Rangers after his performances from his award-laden campaign last year dropped.

The 25-year-old endured a testing evening at Tynecastle yesterday as Rangers struggled to contain Hearts’ attackers. Although Olwethu Makhanya’s late equaliser rescued a point, Fernandez’s display became a talking point.

The Nigerian centre-back was booked in the 44th minute for bringing down Josh McPake, but former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan believed an earlier challenge could also have resulted in a yellow card.

Kris Boyd dismisses Fernandez red-card claim

McGowan argued that Fernandez was fortunate not to receive a first booking for an earlier challenge on Tomas Bent Magnusson. Had the defender been cautioned for that incident, his subsequent foul on McPake could have resulted in a dismissal.

“It would be harsh, but you definitely think there have been yellow cards given out throughout the season for challenges like that,” the Australian said in quotes revealed by Herald Scotland.

“Then five minutes later, when he does get a yellow card. Interesting. He could’ve been off. I think that first one is a case of you’ve half seen them given and I think he’s relatively lucky he has not got that first one.”

Rangers legend, Kris Boyd, however, rejected the suggestion, claiming that Hearts were clutching at straws there.

Fernandez was not sent off, and the debate over the earlier challenge remains a matter of interpretation rather than a refereeing verdict.

Still, the incident added to the scrutiny surrounding the defender who struggled against Hearts. Boyd also criticised Rangers’ overall performance, saying Fernandez looked uneasy against the Hearts attackers and caused problems for his own teammates.

St Mirren incident adds to scrutiny

The latest controversy comes after a significant incident in Rangers’ 1-0 victory over St Mirren last month.

Fernandez stepped on Ismeal Kabia’s foot inside the penalty area, but referee Don Robertson did not award a penalty, and VAR did not recommend an on-field review.

Scotland’s head of refereeing, Willie Collum, later admitted that the decision was wrong.

“For us this is a penalty kick, without question,” Collum said during the Scottish FA’s VAR review.

“Here it is quite clear for us that this is a reckless contact.”

Collum also confirmed that a yellow card should have been expected for the challenge, making this incident different from the disputed booking against Hearts.

The admission provides a documented example of Fernandez escaping punishment for a challenge that refereeing officials later judged incorrectly.

Emmanuel Fernandez must answer critics with consistency

Rangers manager Derek McInnes acknowledged that his side lacked defensive certainty against Hearts.

“We never defended with any real certainty, and we needed to in those moments,” the 55-year-old said.

The manager also described his team as naive at times, although he did not attribute the draw solely to Fernandez.

For the Nigerian, the challenge is to be more consistent in his decision-making as Rangers pursue their domestic ambitions.

The Hearts red-card debate may remain disputed, but the St Mirren incident and his performance yesterday have given critics further reasons to pile on him.

Fernandez previously admitted he must improve on the pitch, and with the response from the Rangers fans, that speech has not been backed up on the pitch.