A shaky opening to the season has former Dundee United boss Ian McCall arguing Rangers should take the money if a big offer lands for Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez.
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Former Dundee United manager Ian McCall believes Rangers should have no hesitation selling Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez if a significant offer arrives this summer, after the centre-back struggled during a shaky start to the new season.
Fernandez came in for heavy criticism following a stuttering 1-1 draw with Dundee United and a costly slip that contributed to a 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok. Speaking to Ibrox News, McCall didn’t hold back on his assessment. “They got down the sides of them so easily, Fernandez as well,” he said. “I mean, if you get a lot of money for Fernandez, it would be a no-brainer decision to sell.”
That verdict sits oddly against the season Fernandez actually produced before this rocky opening. The 24 year old was an ever-present in Rangers’ defence throughout 2025/26, making 28 league appearances, scoring six goals from set-pieces, keeping 12 clean sheets across all competitions, and picking up both the club’s Men’s Player of the Year award and a place in the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year. Fans following his situation can check Bet9ja’s current promo code ahead of the new Scottish season.
His market value reflected that breakout campaign too. Transfermarkt recorded a nine million euro rise in his valuation over the season, the single biggest increase of any player in the Scottish Premiership, taking him to 18 million euros and making him Rangers’ most valuable asset.
That form also translated into a rapid rise on the international stage. Fernandez, who was born in London to a Nigerian father and was eligible to represent both countries, chose Nigeria over England and made his Super Eagles debut as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Iran, before starting and scoring against Jordan just days later in a 2-2 draw. New Bet9ja users following Nigeria’s growing pool of heritage defenders can check how to get the Bet9ja promotion code before the next international window.
His path to this point wasn’t a straightforward academy rise either. Fernandez worked his way up through non league sides including Sheppey United, Margate and Ramsgate before signing for Peterborough United, and only made the jump to Rangers on a four year deal in the summer of 2025 after impressing in League One.
His breakout season has also attracted continental interest. Galatasaray were reported to be pushing hard for his signature over the summer, with the interest reportedly boosted by a personal recommendation from Nigeria teammate Victor Osimhen, who plays for the Turkish champions and is said to rate Fernandez highly enough to want him as a club colleague. Interest from clubs in Germany and France has also been mentioned. Punters following Fernandez’s transfer situation can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code as speculation continues.
McCall’s comments add fresh fuel to a transfer saga that was already simmering before the Scottish season even kicked off properly. Whether Rangers actually cash in remains to be seen, but a stumbling start to the new campaign has clearly done nothing to cool speculation around one of the club’s most sought after players.
📌 Did You Know?
- Fernandez’s full name is Emmanuel Oluwasegun Opeyemi Fernandez, and he wears the number 37 shirt in memory of his brother, who died at the age of 37.
- He is the youngest of eight children.
- Before breaking through in senior football, Fernandez played non league football for Sheppey United, Margate and Ramsgate.
- He signed for Rangers from League One side Peterborough United on a four year contract in the summer of 2025.
- Fernandez scored on his first Super Eagles start, netting in a 2-2 draw with Jordan just days after his debut against Iran.
- His market value rose by nine million euros in a single season, the biggest increase of any player in the Scottish Premiership.
- Victor Osimhen personally recommended Fernandez to Galatasaray, hoping to have him as a club teammate in Turkey.
