---
title: "Fernandez claim on Rangers pressure and Nigeria international call-up"
canonical: "https://readrangers.com/2026/09/24/fernandez-rangers-pressure-nigeria-call-up"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Graeme Hanna"
section: "Rangers News"
published: "2026-09-24T10:25:28Z"
modified: "2026-09-24T10:25:28Z"
---

# Fernandez claim on Rangers pressure and Nigeria international call-up

[Emmanuel Fernandez](https://readrangers.com/squad/emmanuel-fernandez) has opened up on the pressure of playing for Rangers, stating that life at Ibrox tests every player who wears the jersey.

The Fernandez Rangers defensive axis has been central to two clean sheets against Celtic, with the centre back forming a strong partnership alongside [Olwethu Makhanya](https://readrangers.com/squad/olwethu-makhanya) under Derek McInnes.

Fernandez also reflected to his latest call-up to the Nigeria squad, ahead of an AFCON qualifier against Madagascar.

## Emmanuel Fernandez Opens Up on Handling Ibrox Pressure

Fernandez didn’t hide from the scrutiny that comes with a Rangers shirt when he sat down for his [interview, as featured in the Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/emmanuel-fernandez-telling-rangers-confession-37696656).

He described the demands at Ibrox as constant, but as something that pushes players to be better rather than something to fear.

> “It is a lot of pressure playing for a team like Glasgow Rangers. It is enjoyable. I feel like there are going to be moments in the season where you feel maybe under pressure but obviously you need to get through it, you need to show how good you are, so you can get through it, that’s where you build your mentality as a player.”

It’s a fairly grounded take from a defender who has had to answer questions about his form all season.

Fernandez frames the scrutiny as part of the job rather than a burden, and that mindset appears to be paying off at the back.

If he can sort his lapses in concentration and be more assertive, the central defender ca secure a top move for himself and Rangers will collect a signifcant fee.

## Daily Record Interview Details and Nigeria Call-Up Reaction

The same interview covered Fernandez’s latest call-up to the Nigeria squad, and his reaction left little doubt about what it means to him.

He has come through a difficult path to reach this point in his career, and he made that clear when discussing the news.

> “I was excited. It is something I have been waiting for my whole career.
>
> “I have had a turbulent journey throughout my career but I am grateful and happy to be here. It will be an ecstatic feeling because I have never played in Nigeria.
>
> “It is something I have always wanted to do. I am expecting Madagascar to be very strong team and I feel like they are going to have a lot of resilient and energy, that’s something we are going to need to match and show our quality through matching their energy.”

## Makhanya Partnership and Defensive Impact Under Derek McInnes

The timing of this interview comes after a few weeks in which Rangers defensive partnership has been strong.

Fernandez has lined up alongside Olwethu Makhanya in the last two Old Firm matches, and both games ended in clean sheets for Rangers.

That sort of consistency at centre back has been rare for the club in recent seasons, and it has quickly become a major talking point among supporters, with plenty of [praise for Fernandez after the derby win](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/14/emmanuel-fernandez).

Derek McInnes has kept faith in the pairing through two of the biggest fixtures of the campaign. Fernandez started in the [lineup against Celtic at Ibrox](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/13/confirmed-rangers-team-lineup-celtic-ibrox), and his reading of the game alongside the excellent Makhanya has given Rangers a settled base from which to control matches rather than chase them.

What stands out is how quickly the two defenders have understood each other. Makhanya’s pace and composure, combined with Fernandez’s power, have complemented one another against a Celtic front line that usually causes problems, and McInnes will want that understanding to carry through a busy run of domestic fixtures.