Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez hopes the Ibrox side can return to "basics" and keep more clean sheets after their recent defensive record was halted against Kilmarnock.
The 6ft 4ins centre-back has formed a key partnership with Olwethu Makhanya at the heart of the Rangers defence and has been linked with a big-money move.
International break in Russia
Fernandez spent the international break with Nigeria, including a controversial friendly against Russia, who they faced despite the country's exile from major tournaments following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Super Eagles played out a 3-3 draw.
Fernandez admitted he did not know what to expect from the trip but was impressed by the hospitality. He said: "To be fair, I didn't realise the international window was that long! First we started in Nigeria, then we went to Guinea-Bissau, then we went to Russia. I enjoyed it."
"It was a bit too long but I did enjoy it. I feel like playing with those sort of players at that level is something you have to be more grateful for. It's an amazing opportunity," he added.
"When I went to Russia, I didn't expect it to be how it was but it was amazing. It was way better than I thought. The people were so kind and caring, they did everything we needed for us. The training sessions were good out there, the game was good as well. The funny thing is that when we scored they were cheering our goals."
Return to domestic duty
Fernandez returned to domestic duty as Rangers saw off Kilmarnock 3-1, but was frustrated to see his side concede a stoppage-time consolation strike, ending a run of almost 500 minutes without conceding.
He said: "When you know you've kept out goals at the end of the game, you feel good about yourself. When you are conceding a lot of goals, you feel a bit down whether you win the game or not."
"When you know that you've kept a lot of queen sheets and you know that you've done well as a back four, that you've won the majority of your duels, you've defended your box well, that's when the defender wants to know that they've done well," he explained.
Fernandez believes the international break made the game against Kilmarnock difficult, but feels the team can now refocus. He said: "I feel like it was always going to be a difficult game against Killie because a lot of players had been away to various places during the international break."
"I still feel like we had an opportunity to keep a clean sheet that game. Obviously, we failed at the last minute and there were some chances in the game that they could have scored but I feel like as a team now we've spent a week together, we get back to knowing how each other plays again," he added.
"I feel like we can get back to that basics and keep more clean sheets in there."
