Fernandez
has been one of the standout performers in Danny Rohl’s team as they bid to end
Celtic’s stranglehold on the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers
have not won the title since the 2020/21 campaign when they beat Celtic by a
landslide, claiming top spot with a staggering 20-point gap.
They
have finished second best behind their local rivals in the subsequent four
seasons but are now in contention to snap their losing streak.
Fernandez’s
performances have caught the eye and led Nigerian sports bettors to pay more
attention to the Scottish Premiership title race.
According
to the sportsbooks featured in BettingTop10’s top 50 betting sites in Nigeria, the Gers are second
favourites to win the league title.
Punters
will fancy their chances of securing a winning return given the influence
Fernandez has been having on Rangers’ results this season.
Fernandez Helps to Salvage a Point at Livingston
There
was no shortage of drama at the Tony Macaroni Arena as Rangers battled back
from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Livingston in the Scottish
Premiership on Sunday.
Fernandez
was at the heart of the comeback. He took his goalscoring tally to five goals
in 18 Scottish Premiership games with a crucial strike that sparked Rangers’
fightback.
With
the visitors chasing the game late on, a long throw into the Livingston penalty
area caused panic. The ball dropped kindly inside the six-yard box, and
Fernandez rifled it home.
Fernandez
has built a reputation as a defender who can deliver on both ends of the pitch,
and he proved his worth against Livingston.
He
won five of his six ground duels and four of his seven aerial battles. He also
recorded five clearances and six ball recoveries. He also recorded 91 touches
and two progressive carries.
Fernandez
could have bagged a brace, but couldn't keep his shot low despite having a
relatively empty net to target. But that took nothing away from his brilliant
performance.
A Consistent Performer & the Heartbeat of Rangers’ Defence
Fernandez
has only recently established himself in the Rangers backline since completing
a £3.5 million move from League One side Peterborough United last summer.
Eyebrows
were raised when he barely kicked a ball for the Gers at the start of the
season, but he has since established himself in the first team.
Fernandez
is one of the highest-rated Rangers players this season, while his goals tally
is impressive for a central defender.
The
London-born star has already been linked with a big move to the Premier League,
which means his performances have not gone under the radar.
Arsenal
and Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation, while Bundesliga champions
Bayern Munich are also in the mix. An international call-up would boost his
chances of securing a move.
Eric Chelle’s Future Could Impact Fernandez’s National Team Hopes
Fernandez
has publicly made it clear that he wants to represent Nigeria over England, but
manager Eric Chelle’s long-term future could impact his chances.
The
centre-back has never represented England at any level. He has spent the
majority of his career in non-league football and only had one full season of
senior football before joining Rangers.
Many
people believe it is only a matter of time before he receives his first
international call-up, and Chelle has also revealed that the defender is on his radar.
However,
the Malian manager may not be in charge for much longer. Chelle’s current
contract with Nigeria runs until January 2027.
The
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) wants to renew his contract, but
negotiations have stalled after Chelle tabled a 19-point proposal that included
a demand that nearly triples his current wages.
He
claimed that the new proposal was meant to cover his entire technical crew and
personal assistant, but the NFF wasted no time turning him down.
That
raised further questions about his future, but the NFF have reiterated that
Chelle will at least see out the rest of his contract.
Fernandez will hope to make his mark in the national team before Chelle’s potential exit, although he has yet to apply for a Nigerian passport.
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