Emmanuel Fernandez keen to make the most of Rangers opportunity

Emmanuel Fernandez is determined to grab his chance at Rangers after an inauspicious start to his Ibrox career.

The towering 24-year-old centre-back was signed from Peterborough in the summer for a reported fee of around £3million but appeared just twice under Russell Martin and it took injuries to John Souttar and Derek Cornelius for him to make his first start under new boss Danny Rohl against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday.

Fernandez made an early impression by heading in after from a James Tavernier corner after nine minutes but the Govan side failed to kick on.

Tete Yengi levelled after 18 minutes and then Rangers survived a penalty claim when the Livi striker’s shot hit Fernandez’s hand.

Gers midfielder Mohamed Diomande scored the winner in the 78th minute to make it four league wins in a row for the first time this season in the William Hill Premiership.

After making just his fourth appearance for the Light Blues, Fernandez looked forward to the Europa League clash with Braga at Ibrox on Thursday night.

He said: “I have confidence in myself and belief in myself to be better and play good.

“Obviously they’ve gone out injured and there’s been a lot of competition recently.

“They’re very good players. International players.

“I have got to take my opportunity.  If I am playing on Thursday, I have got to take it and grab it with my hands.

“That would be my first European game and I can’t wait to put my stamp on the game and show what I can do.”

Despite a frustrating start to his time in Govan, Fernandez insists that he has no regrets moving north of the border.

He said: “No, never. And that’s the thing about football, you always be in uncomfortable situations and it’s how you get through them.

“So you have to just get through the receiving end of them and see how it goes because there’s not many clubs that you’ll go to, especially when you’re stepping up a level, where you’re going to play straight away.

“So you have to wait for your turn, and then hopefully when you get your chance, you take it.

“Obviously, it’s tough (not playing), but it’s something I’ve experienced before in my old team, it makes you grow as a person.

“And obviously, over periods, you just have to train hard, work hard, and that’s going to hopefully get you in the team in the future.”

Livi boss David Martindale was incensed at being denied a penalty for handball and rued a late miss when substitute Robbie Muirhead volleyed over the bar.

He said: “We have a big moment after 21 minutes or so with a penalty decision.

“And then we have a big chance to go 2-1 up in the game with Yengi on 70 minutes in a one versus one with Jack Butland.

“We don’t execute that properly then obviously we lose a goal… it becomes a wee bit difficult.

“Robbie Muirhead probably does a lot better with his opportunity than most players could, but it just goes over the bar.”