NafisaAndy Halliday has delivered a ruthless assessment of Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez following the Light Blues’ disappointing 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok, insisting Derek McInnes cannot fully trust the centre-back in the club’s biggest matches.
Rangers travelled to Poland hoping to take a positive result into next week’s decisive Europa League qualifier at Ibrox, but defensive lapses allowed the hosts to overturn an early own goal and claim a narrow first-leg advantage.
Fernandez once again found himself under intense scrutiny after a difficult evening, having already faced criticism following Rangers’ 1-1 Premiership draw with Dundee United on the opening weekend of the new season.
With Ben Godfrey currently sidelined through injury and new signing Olwethu Makhanya still waiting to make his competitive debut, McInnes has had little choice but to continue relying on Fernandez in central defence.
However, former Rangers midfielder Halliday believes the 25-year-old has already shown worrying flaws that could prevent him from becoming the commanding defender the club needs.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Halliday claimed Rangers’ manager would privately admit he still has doubts about Fernandez if better alternatives were available.
“Everywhere he (McInnes) has went, there are always players he trusts to play in the big games.
“If you spoke to Derek McInnes right now without a microphone in front of him and asked ‘do you trust Fernandez?’ there is no way he says yes, no way. But he doesn’t have the option at this moment in time to play someone else.”
Despite his criticism, Halliday insisted the defender possesses the physical qualities needed to become an excellent centre-back, but believes the fundamentals of defending continue to let him down.
“I am being very critical here. I think Emmanuel Fernandez has every attribute to be a top, top centre half. But he looks as if he is someone who has not had the education growing up about the basics of being a centre half.
“For me it’s the basic art of defending (with Fernandez). His body shape his body position, when to drop and when to squeeze.
“When the ball goes over his head he should sprint and utilise his pace to get back in.
“He doesn’t have that education of being an out-and-out centre half.”
Halliday also questioned Fernandez’s decision-making during attacking set-pieces, suggesting his eagerness to get involved further up the pitch often leaves Rangers exposed defensively.
“When Rangers get a corner kick, he is that desperate to score goals that he stays up (in the box) for a further minute, even when it’s been cleared out of the box.
“For me, he doesn’t have the defensive instincts to be relied upon to be that ultimate defender, which is why I think his partner has to be a more defensive minded player who can talk him through games.”
The former Rangers midfielder believes Ben Godfrey could have been that calming influence before injury struck, although he also expressed concern over the England defender’s recent fitness record.
“Ben Godfrey should be that the type of player but the big thing through the course of his career has been his durability. That’s a real worry for me, in terms of their personnel there at the minute. I don’t think they are players Derek McInnes can trust.”
McInnes is expected to strengthen his defensive options before the transfer window closes, with Rangers continuing to assess potential reinforcements while listening to offers for experienced defender John Souttar.
For now, though, Fernandez is likely to remain a key figure as Rangers attempt to overturn their Europa League deficit at Ibrox next week and get their season firmly back on track.
Nafisa
