'I'm sure he will get better' - Ipswich legend backs Fernandez to rediscover best form at Rangers
'I'm sure he will get better' - Ipswich legend backs Fernandez to rediscover best form at Rangers
Ipswich Town legend Terry Butcher has backed Super Eagles centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez to overcome his difficult start to the new season and rediscover the form that earned him recognition with Nigeria.
Fernandez has come under criticism for some of his performances since the start of the campaign, with his place in Derek McInnes’ Rangers side facing increased competition.
The Super Eagles defender enjoyed an impressive first season at Ibrox, becoming a regular under then-Rangers head coach Danny Röhl and earning international recognition with Nigeria.
Fernandez was voted into the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year after his performances last season, but his form has come under scrutiny during the early stages of the new campaign.
Butcher believes the defender can respond positively and said the experience should help Fernandez better understand the demands that come with representing Rangers.
“It will be a big test of character for Manny, because he’ll now understand a little bit more of what's expected of him at Rangers," he said, as quoted by The National Scot.
Butcher stressed that Fernandez must maintain the required standards throughout the campaign as he looks to regain his best form.
"But you've got to carry that all through the season. So he’s got another eight, nine months that he’s got to hit those standards," he added.
Butcher remains confident that Fernandez possesses the qualities required to improve and believes support from his teammates could also prove important.
“I'm sure he will get better. He's got the attributes and it's just the players around him that he needs possibly help from, some support," he said.
He also expressed confidence in McInnes’ ability to help the Nigerian defender through individual guidance and strong man-management.
“But he's got a good manager who is top when it comes to one-on-one leadership and man management, so I wouldn't have any worries about that. It will happen," he revealed.
Butcher also pointed to the unique demands of playing for Rangers, insisting Fernandez must develop the temperament needed to perform under pressure at the Glasgow club.
"To play for Rangers, you must have the right temperament anyway, because you're up there with the big boys and you're treading on history every step that you take on that football pitch," he stated.
Despite the criticism surrounding Fernandez, Butcher remains convinced that the defender can turn the situation around and make his strengths more evident.
“So I've got every confidence that he'll do it. At six foot four, everybody sort of says, well, he can't run, he can't do this, he can't do that, but it's what he can do, and he's got to really make sure that that comes out even more," he concluded.
Wale Adejumo
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