- Danny Rohl says Emmanuel Fernandez was rested after international travel, insisting competition for places benefits Rangers’ defence.
- Davide Ancelotti admits he considered asking Luka Modric about joining Rangers before missing out on the Ibrox job.
- Rangers continue their Premiership run-in amid transfer intrigue and key squad selection decisions before Falkirk and more…
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has explained why Emmanuel Fernandez was omitted from the starting XI for the 4-2 victory over Dundee United, revealing the defender’s recent international commitments influenced the decision.
Rohl opted to pair John Souttar with Nasser Djiga in central defence for Rangers first game after the international break.
Choosing to leave Fernandez out of the lineup and unused on the bench.
The former Peterborough United centre-back had started each of Rangers’ previous five Premiership matches before the March break but returned from international duty after a demanding spell with Nigeria.
Fernandez made his Super Eagles debut as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Iran on March 27, then scored on his first start in the 2-2 draw against Jordan four days later.
Explaining the call, Rohl said Fernandez’s travel schedule had been a major factor.
He also referred to increased competition for places in defence.
Asked if Fernandez could return against Falkirk on Sunday, Rohl said: “Manny, it was a decision from my side.
“Manny travelled a lot; it was his first experience with the national team.
“We have John, as well as centre-back, available. Derek Cornelius is back in the training group, and we have competition in this position.
“It’s good for us and Manny to push and not to be comfortable in a position. We won 4-2, and then my choice was not too wrong.”
Fernandez has scored seven goals in 29 appearances for club and country this season, underlining his growing influence despite missing out last time.
Davide Ancelotti wanted Luka Modric at Ibrox
Davide Ancelotti has admitted he would have considered sounding out Luka Modric over a move to Rangers had he taken charge at Ibrox.
The Italian was strongly linked with the Rangers job last summer.
He had reportedly been contemplating whether to approach the Real Madrid and Croatia icon about finishing his career in Glasgow.
Modric, now 40, instead chose to join AC Milan on a free transfer.
Ancelotti has now confirmed that the idea crossed his mind, acknowledging that Rangers stature could have made the proposal a realistic one.
“I could have asked him, why not?” Ancelotti said to the Rangers Review.
“Rangers are a big club, with a big history in Europe that always plays European competition. And Luka Modric needed to prepare for the World Cup.
“In the end, he decided to do what he is doing now, he decided to go and play with a big club and someone that he could represent.
“But honestly, I didn’t ask anyone to go to Rangers because I didn’t get the job.”
While the move never advanced beyond speculation, Ancelotti’s comments underline the scale of ambition Rangers might have pursued had the former Real Madrid assistant boss arrived in Glasgow.
In the end, Rangers chose Russell Martin, who’s failure lead them to Rohl – who now looks set to make the Ibrox side Scottish champions for the first time in five years.
Ex-Ibrox wonderkid finally finds a Holm
Lancelot Pollard was once tipped as one of the brightest talents in Scottish football.
Leading to him making a much-publicised move from Aberdeen to Rangers at just 15.
Failing to make the breakthrough at Ibrox despite undoubted talent that attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, he departed Scotland for Sparta Rotterdam.
Despite learning a new style of football in the Netherlands, Pollard quickly returned to Scotland with League One side Montrose.
Struggling for senior minutes however, he made the hard decision to drop into non-league with Albion Rovers last summer.
Again, he did not settle and at just 18, he joined fellow Lowland League side Clydebank in October.
Now finally, at his fifth club at just 18, he has found a home at Holm Park.
He has returned to the Bankies squad after injury in their past two matches.
This helped the team to wins over Cowdenbeath and Broxburn as they look to secure promotion to the SPFL this season.
“He’s 18-years of age and is an amazing young talent,” manager at Clydebank, Gordon Moffat, said about Pollard.
“We know he’ll still have wee bits of pieces to learn how to fit in with us off the ball but what a talent he is.
“He’s got that real youthful energy and enthusiasm, and everyone can see his ability on the ball.”
