Emmanuel Fernandez is convinced that Rangers' early elimination from European competition could prove a decisive advantage as they chase domestic silverware this season.
The Ibrox outfit fell at the qualifying stage in both the Europa League and Conference League during the early months of the campaign, a period when new manager Derek McInnes was assembling his squad. The setback, however, has coincided with a dramatic upturn in form that has seen the Glasgow side string together seven consecutive victories.
That run has lifted Rangers into second place in the Scottish Premiership, while they have also secured a spot in the League Cup semi-final where they will face Aberdeen at Hampden. In contrast, league leaders Celtic are preparing for a midweek Europa League trip to Lisbon to face Benfica, and third-placed Hearts will host Nordsjaelland in the Conference League on Thursday evening.
Rangers, meanwhile, have enjoyed a full week without European obligations to prepare for their journey to Dens Park on Saturday night, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. A victory would move them level on points with Celtic, though the Hoops can reclaim top spot for a second successive week when Hearts visit Parkhead on Sunday, also live on Sky Sports.
The European advantage
When asked whether the absence of European football might benefit Rangers in their domestic campaign, the 25-year-old centre-back offered an emphatic response.
100 per cent, because less games ultimately means less injuries and more time to be ready for the weekend, I guess.
Fernandez went on to highlight the value of additional preparation time for a squad that has undergone significant changes.
I feel like, as a group, we can probably get closer together, understand each other more.
As we know, there were a lot of new signings throughout the window, and, obviously we're past that now, and I feel like there's more connection that can be built for our training and playing together, so obviously, it could be a benefit for us.
However, Fernandez cautioned that the psychological advantage must be matched by consistent application.
But I still think we need to go into games with the same focus, knowing that we have a week off, and some people might have a few days, but we still need to be at it, and ready to go.
Personal form and partnership
The Nigeria international, who arrived at Rangers from Peterborough last July, has acknowledged that his early season performances were inconsistent. Yet he has recently rediscovered his best form, a development he attributes in part to the growing understanding with his defensive partner.
Obviously, [my form was] a bit shaky at the beginning, but I feel like I'm getting back into my groove.
Olwethu Makhanya, the 22-year-old South African centre-back who joined from MLS side Philadelphia Union in the summer, has been instrumental in that improvement. According to Rangers Review, Makhanya was a £3 million summer signing and has already won the Scottish Premiership player of the month award for September.
Fernandez praised the impact his team-mate has had on the squad's defensive stability.
I think he [Makhanya] is amazing. I know when I came in and played last season, how hard it was to settle.
I feel like that's why having certain team-mates around you can help you settle quicker and help you get into games easier and help you just perform the way you want to perform and not think about the noise.
I still think there's more to come, similar performances towards last season, but they'll all come in due time.
Team progress and ambition
Fernandez acknowledged that Rangers' journey this season has been uneven, but he believes the team has now found its rhythm.
It's been a bit of a turbulent journey [for the team this season].
At the beginning of the season, we didn't start off at our best, but I feel like we've got into our groove a bit and getting the results that we need.
Despite the impressive seven-game winning streak, the defender insisted there remains room for improvement across multiple areas.
But I still think the team knows that we can still give more.
There are games that we know we can still score more goals and limit the amount of [opposition] chances.
According to Sky Sports, Rangers beat Kilmarnock 3–1 on October 10, extending their winning run to seven matches. However, a late goal conceded in that victory prevented them from securing a sixth consecutive clean sheet.
Fernandez expressed frustration at that lapse in concentration.
That would have been a sixth clean sheet or something along those lines and you go into that next game with a major boost.
Obviously, teams always look at ways to score against you in different scenarios, so conceding a goal gives another team a chance to think they can score a goal.
To keep that many clean sheets in a row, and to get that many wins with limiting the amount of goals [conceded] is amazing, but I still think there's improvements to be made.
I still think that we can concede the least goals in the league. That's something we're going to be striving to do and get better on the training pitch every day.
The road ahead
With the international break now behind them, Rangers face a demanding schedule. According to Sky Sports, Fernandez noted that the team has five matches to play before the next international window opens.
The immediate focus is Saturday's trip to Dundee, followed by fixtures against St Johnstone at home on October 24, Hearts away on October 28, and the League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on October 31. Each contest will be crucial as Rangers attempt to sustain their momentum and close the gap on Celtic at the summit of the Premiership.
