'Not many people stop me....': Rangers unlikely hero details coach's impact on Ibrox form amid title admission

The centre-back had a difficult start to life at Rangers following his summer move from Peterborough United, starting just one of the club’s opening 11 league games. The 24-year-old has grown in stature after being awarded an extended run in the first team recently, though, bagging the winning goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 win against St Mirren, which closed the gap on league leaders Hearts to six points.

His second goal in four games, Fernandez hailed the impact of Rangers’ set piece coach Scott Fry and revealed the subtle tweaks that have allowed him to have an impact at both ends of the pitch, and revealed why he is confident he can continue to be the unlikely Ibrox hero.

“I think Scott has had a big help in me getting these goals,” smiled Fernandez. “He always talks about second phases and what we need to do. I think both of our goals today were from second phases, from a set-piece. I'm enjoying the run and it's about continuing this run and keep going and getting three points as much as possible.

“It's difficult because as I do keep winning it, people defend differently and maybe put two players on you. I do back myself as long as I get the right movement and the delivery is good. I don't think many people stop me. But it's just about getting the right timing and keep on going.

“I feel the love, I feel the energy. The fans are the 12th man, essentially, and the more they push us through and the more they guide us through, the better we'll get and the more confidence we'll get as players as well. I love it and I couldn't be more grateful for them.”

Having won eight of his first 11 league games in charge, head coach Danny Rohl will now lead his side into a crucial Old Firm clash with Celtic at the weekend, where Rangers know a win by three or more goals will see them leapfrog their Glasgow rivals into second place. With just one win from their opening seven games, Rangers’ hopes of winning the title looked bleak just a few short months ago.

But a sharp upturn in form since the appointment of Rohl has injected a newfound confidence into the squad, who know a statement win at Parkhead this Saturday will drag them right back into contention for the Scottish Premiership title.

“We've just got to stay focused about ourselves, get to the weekend and deal with it,” said Fernandez. “I can't wait for it because I think it'll be my first derby and we've just got to go into the game with the mentality that we get three points and move on to the next. I couldn't be more grateful to be involved in that game.

“Obviously, it's a massive derby. I've just got to be excited and ready for it and focus in the game and see where that gets me. I wouldn't say we focus on the title, I think we just focus on winning each game at a time and see where that gets us.”

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