Rangers Boss McInnes Defends Fernandez Amid Criticism

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has defended defender Manny Fernandez, stating that the player has become an easy target for criticism. Fernandez faced scrutiny following his performance in a 2-2 draw against Hearts, with some supporters advocating for his removal from the starting lineup.

Fernandez, 25, has been a regular in central defense this season, often partnering Olwethu Makhanya. However, his performances have been inconsistent, leading to calls for his substitution. Former Rangers player Ian Ferguson described Fernandez's play against Hearts as 'woeful' and suggested he should have been replaced earlier in the match. With Ben Godfrey now fit, there is pressure on McInnes to reinstate the experienced defender for the upcoming Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.

McInnes, however, pushed back against the criticism, telling the BBC that attention on Fernandez intensifies only when the team drops points. "I only get asked about Fernandez when he has a poor game," McInnes said. "Nobody asked me about Fernandez last Saturday against St Johnstone [in a 4-0 win]. He was outstanding."

He emphasized that the team's performance against Hearts was a collective effort, not solely attributable to Fernandez. "Last night against Hearts wasn’t on Manny Fernandez, it was a collective," he stated. "I never get asked about Manny when he does really well and he’s been a big part of our better performances this season."

When questioned about potential lineup changes due to Godfrey's return, McInnes acknowledged having "loads of decisions to make across the team." He highlighted the team's overall consistency and unbeaten away record, despite acknowledging the Hearts match was not ideal. "I think that while we recognise that individuals can play better last night, we’ve got decisions to make across the board, particularly when there’s three games in the week."

In other team news, midfielder Tochi Chukwuani may face a period on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury against Hearts.

Rangers are set to face Aberdeen in the semi-final, entering the match as favorites against an Aberdeen side experiencing a dip in form under manager Stephen Robinson. McInnes, a former Aberdeen manager himself, understands the pressures at Pittodrie but is focused on securing silverware, which he believes would provide a significant psychological boost.

"I think a semi-final, a stand-alone game, sometimes form goes out the window," McInnes said. "Aberdeen have got a good, experienced manager in Robbo and got some good, experienced players. They’ll be relishing the opportunity as well. People might view us as favorites for it and I understand that, but we’ve still got a game to win and Aberdeen are capable of a big performance."

McInnes stressed the importance of a strong, 90-minute performance from his team and noted that while Aberdeen may be struggling, they should not be underestimated. "I sympathise with all the managers who feel that pressure. I’ve managed the club for eight years up there and it’s not always an easy club to manage. But they’ve got a good guy there and a guy who will get it right if given time. I have no doubts about it."

Securing the first trophy of the season is a key objective for Rangers. McInnes recalled their previous tough semi-final victory against Celtic and emphasized the need to perform well in the upcoming match. "Semi-finals, traditionally, can be fraught with a lot of nerves and tension. Sometimes they are not the best games because of what’s at stake, but we can’t just turn up on Saturday hoping to win. We’ve just got to go out and set about the task. It’s something that’s very important to us all, to try and make sure we get to the final. But there is a team who will be equally as determined to get there as well."