Emmanuel Fernandez – what Rangers need to win SPFL title

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has explained what Rangers must do to end their Scottish Premiership title drought and win the league this season.

The Light Blues have not won the Scottish league title since the 2020/21 season under Steven Gerrard, with their rivals Celtic winning the last five titles in a row.

Since their last triumph, Rangers have come close on several occasions, including last season. However, their title challenge faded in the final weeks of the campaign, leaving them to finish third.

Rangers also started the current season slowly but have bounced back from their early struggles and are now just two points behind Celtic after eight games.

With a chance to challenge for the championship this season, Fernandez is keen to help Rangers achieve their goal and the Super Eagles defender has now explained two things that can help his side stand a chance of lifting the trophy.

Emmanuel Fernandez on how Rangers can win SPFL title

1. Rangers must maintain togetherness and focus

According to Emmanuel Fernandez, Rangers must maintain their togetherness and focus on the games ahead if they are to sustain their momentum and continue their title challenge.

Rangers endured a difficult start to the campaign but have since won their last six Scottish Premiership matches, building momentum and improving their position in the standings.

Fernandez, who is developing a strong partnership with Olwethu Makhanya at the centre of the defence, believes the team must remain focused and united to achieve its objectives.

Speaking about what Rangers need to do, the Nigerian defender stressed the importance of sticking together through difficult moments and maintaining their commitment to one another.

“For us, we just need to maintain togetherness and focus on the next games and show what we can do”, the 24-year-old told Rangers official website.

“I feel like throughout the whole week, we’ve had more time together, more time to work on things, and I feel like that’s something that is going to benefit us in the long run.

“I feel like whenever there’s a bit of a sticky spell, everyone’s going through a crisis, and it feels like the world is coming to an end.

“The game before Aberdeen, we lost in the Europa Conference League. I feel like that time period that we had together – we went straight to the hotel after the game – was the best time period we could have had.

“Everyone wants to play for each other. Everyone wants to die for each other. And I feel like that’s what you need in a team, just to stay together and stick together through every moment.”

2. Lack of European football could give Rangers an advantage

Another factor that could work in Rangers’ favour is their absence from European competition this season, which could allow them to focus more on their Scottish Premiership title challenge.

Rangers were eliminated from European competition following a disappointing and unexpected defeat to Czech side Jablonec in the Conference League play-off round. As a result, they will not play in Europe for the first time since 2017.

Fernandez believes the reduced workload could help the team manage fatigue, lower the risk of injuries and ensure the players are better prepared for their domestic matches.

“100 per cent, because less games ultimately means less injuries and more time to be ready for the weekend, I guess”, Fernandez added.

“I feel like, as a group, we can probably get closer together, understand each other more.

“As we know, there were a lot of new signings throughout the window, and, obviously, we’re past that now, and I feel like there’s more connection that can be built through our training and playing together, so obviously, it could be a benefit for us.

“But I still think we need to go into games with the same focus, knowing that we have a week off, and some people might have a few days, but we still need to be at it, and ready to go”, he concluded.

Rangers will continue their push for the Scottish Premiership title when they face Dundee on Saturday and a victory would see them move temporarily to the top of the standings before Celtic play on Sunday.