Kirk Broadfoot believes Rangers' best piece of summer business was keeping hold of in-demand defender Manny Fernandez, describing the centre-back as an "unbelievable player" ahead of Kilmarnock's trip to Ibrox this weekend.
The former Rangers defender, now part of Neil McCann's coaching staff at Kilmarnock, was speaking after playing for the Light Blues at the Tennents Sixes at the weekend, where he showed his competitive edge after losing the final to Celtic.
Fernandez the stand-out
Rangers made 14 new signings during a frantic summer transfer window, but Broadfoot singled out Fernandez as the real stand-out. The towering centre-back has formed a rock-solid partnership with Olwethu Makhanya, who arrived from MLS outfit Philadelphia Union for £3m.
When asked about Rangers' defensive options, Broadfoot said: "Obviously good, because they've played Celtic at Parkhead, and got a clean sheet. I think a big one was keeping big Fernandez, keeping him here. He looks like an unbelievable player. I think Rangers will be strong and we play them next week at Kilmarnock. Hopefully they have an off day!"
He added: "I just think Fernandez is an all-round athlete. He's good on the ball. He's very good in the air. He's confident. He can probably do what he wants in the game, to be honest. He is the type of player that people look for, an athlete, big, good on the ball, good in the air."
Killie's turnaround
Kilmarnock are well aware they face a different Rangers side to a few weeks ago. Derek McInnes's men have enjoyed consecutive victories against Celtic, sparking their campaign to life after a difficult start that included dropped points to Dundee United and Hibs and European exits against Jagiellonia and Jablonec.
Broadfoot said of the partnership: "Yeah, they do. The two of them look well to be fair. Just as I say, we play them with Kilmarnock next weekend and hopefully they have a wee off day."
He insisted he never had doubts McInnes would turn things around: "It's similar to what we had out there at the weekend, a slow start, but I knew Derek would get them going. He knows the league inside out and you can see that now. He's getting his team on the park and they look like the team in form and are looking to push on."
Bailey Rice's promise
Kilmarnock will be without loan ace Bailey Rice, who cannot play against his parent club Rangers. Broadfoot is convinced the youngster will be a major player for Killie this term and a future star at Rangers.
He said: "Bailey's a good lad. Slow at the start obviously coming off that injury, but after that he's been flying now. He's started the last two games and he's looking strong. Obviously he can't play against Rangers because he's on loan, but he's looking strong now. Yeah, there's no getting away from the fact that Bailey had good ability even before he came here. We all knew that. It was just getting him back up to speed after his injury. The more he plays for us and the more he works with the manager and Billy Dodds, he'll be a good asset for Rangers."
Broadfoot shrugged off his Tennents Sixes blow-up, saying: "No, no, this was a bit of fun with the boys. Obviously we take it competitive because we've got that side to us. But I was back to work Monday, and it will be full steam ahead to analysing Rangers for the weekend."
