Emmanuel Fernandez: Togetherness Has Been Vital

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EMMANUEL Fernandez believes the squad’s togetherness has been key this season as Rangers chase another three points in Scottish Premiership action tomorrow evening.

Dens Park is the destination for Derek McInnes’ side, who chalked up their seventh successive victory in all competitions by dispatching Kilmarnock at Ibrox last weekend.

Speaking to the media to preview the trip to Tayside, the Nigerian international commented: “For us, we just need to maintain togetherness and focus on the next games and show what we can do. 

“I feel like throughout the whole week, we've had more time together, more time to work on things, and I feel like that's something that is going to benefit us in the long run. 

“I feel like whenever there's a bit of a sticky spell, everyone's going through a crisis, and it feels like the world is coming to an end. 

 

But I feel like that's the benefit of us sticking together.

"The game before Aberdeen, we lost in the Europa Conference League. I feel like that time period that we had together - we went straight to the hotel after the game - was the best time period we could have had. 

“Everyone wants to play for each other. Everyone wants to die for each other. And I feel like that's what you need in a team, just to stay together and stick together through every moment.”

On the triumph over Killie six days ago, which arrived off the back of the extended international break, Fernandez continued: “I feel like it was always going to be difficult because everyone went to various places on international duty, so I feel like that time away from each other for three weeks without a game was always going to be difficult. 

“I still feel like we had an opportunity to keep a clean sheet that game. 

"Obviously, we failed at the last moment, and there were some chances in the game that they could have scored, but I feel like as a team now, we’ve spent a week together, and we can get back to knowing how each other plays again.”

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The strike from Neil McCann’s side in the dying embers last weekend was the first goal conceded by the Gers since September 2 away to Falkirk.

Fernandez has built a stubborn partnership with Olwethu Makhanya, named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September, but he believes the defensive resilience can be attributed to the entire team.

He added: “It's been a building block for me. I feel like now getting back to the position where I have a partner next to me who's been solid as well. 

“I also have two full-backs and a goalkeeper who are great, but I do feel it's a team effort too.

 

I feel like everyone on the team is pulling their weight.

“There are scenarios where we're defending together better or not allowing many chances.

"I do feel we still need to improve from our most recent game, but there's so much more to come from us, and I feel like we have a great keeper behind us who's great at shot-stopping. 

"There are opportunities for us to keep more clean sheets, and I still think we need to go with that."