Rangers Defender Declares Himself a Set-Piece Powerhouse
Rangers defender Manny Fernandez has confidently labelled himself as almost unstoppable from set-pieces as he anticipates a potential European debut against Braga on Thursday night. The 24-year-old, standing at an imposing 6ft 6in tall, made only his third start for the club in the recent 2-1 victory over Livingston at Ibrox.
Seizing the Opportunity
His chance arose following injuries to fellow defenders John Souttar and Derek Cornelius. Fernandez seized the moment, scoring an early goal with a powerful header from a James Tavernier corner. Although he was at fault for Tete Yengi's equaliser for Livingston, the former Peterborough player was pleased with his overall performance and has assured head coach Danny Rohl that he is prepared for the leap into Europa League action.
With the recent appointment of set-piece coach Scott Fry, Fernandez believes the timing is perfect to demonstrate his dual capability: being a constant danger in the opposition's box while establishing himself as a reliable defender in his own.
Confidence in the Air
'I don't think there are many people that can stop me in the box,' Fernandez stated. 'When the ball and the delivery are right, I'm probably going to get first contact the majority of the time.' Expressing his excitement for the prospect of facing Braga, he added, 'If I play, I couldn't be more grateful. It will be my first European game and I can't wait to put my stamp on the game.'
He was full of praise for the impact of the new set-piece coach, Scott Fry. 'There's a lot of variations. Scott is something different and he brings a lot of energy. He's very understanding of what he wants us to do, especially defensively.' Fernandez highlighted the team's defensive solidity from set-pieces against Livingston as evidence of their progress.
The defender also emphasised his responsibility in his own penalty area, acknowledging that a player of his size should be dominant. 'They're moments that teams can score from, so we've got to stay compact and make sure we clear the box every single time.'
Despite facing strong competition from international players Souttar and Cornelius, Fernandez is brimming with self-belief. 'I have confidence in myself to be better and play well. If I am playing Thursday I've got to take my opportunity and grab it with my hands.'
Reflecting on his £3million move to Ibrox and his limited playing time since, Fernandez has no regrets. 'In football, you're always put in uncomfortable situations and it's how you get through them. There's not many clubs you'll go to where you're going to play straight away. You have to wait your turn.' He added that embracing the pressure at a club like Rangers is essential for a top-level footballer and that success there can lead to a great career.
