Rangers' hopes of clinching the Scottish Premiership title were effectively ended by a 3-1 defeat to Celtic FC at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon. Emmanuel Fernandez, the 24-year-old Super Eagles centre-back, played the full match in the loss, which leaves the team with only two remaining fixtures against Hibernian and Falkirk. The result deepened the gap at the top of the table, ending realistic chances of overtaking Celtic for the championship. Fernandez accepted personal responsibility for parts of the performance, stating he "probably should have defended better" in key moments. He did not attribute the loss to bad luck, saying, "I can't say we have been unlucky," and acknowledged the team lacked sufficient fight during critical phases of the season. "I can take stick for it," Fernandez said, as quoted by Daly Record. He emphasized the need for collective growth, particularly among younger players, insisting the squad must stick together and improve defensively. Fernandez also apologized to supporters, urging the team to win their final two matches as a gesture of accountability. Despite the disappointment, he expressed confidence in the core group, noting many are entering their second season and have the potential to prove their worth. The defender scored six goals during the campaign, a notable contribution from the back line, after joining from Peterborough United last summer.
Fernandez publicly accepting blame for the loss comes amid a season where he scored six goals, a sign of offensive contribution that did not translate into defensive solidity when it mattered most. His apology to fans and call for resilience expose a team struggling to balance accountability with performance under pressure. As a Nigerian in a high-profile European league, his willingness to front criticism rather than deflect sets a rare tone. Yet, scoring from the back while conceding crucial goals reveals a contradiction in impact.
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