‘Always a threat’ — Peter Grant identifies the Rangers player McInnes should always fear.

Peter Grant has identified a concern surrounding Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez, despite the centre-back helping Derek McInnes’ side build an impressive run of results.

Rangers have won seven matches in a row across all competitions since McInnes took charge, including six consecutive Scottish Premiership victories. Their latest league success came last weekend when they defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox.

A major part of Rangers’ improvement has been the stability they have found defensively. McInnes has settled on a back four featuring Dujon Sterling and James Penrice at full-back, with Fernandez partnering Olwethu Makhanya in central defence. Ivor Pandur has provided the final layer of protection in goal.

While Fernandez has produced some inconsistent displays in the past, his performances alongside the younger Makhanya have appeared more assured.

However, former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant believes McInnes should still have concerns about the Portuguese defender. Grant accepts that Fernandez is capable of producing excellent performances, but he believes the player remains capable of making a costly mistake at almost any stage.

Rangers spent approximately £3.5 million to bring Fernandez to Ibrox from Peterborough United in July 2025. The defender made 27 Scottish Premiership appearances during his first season and made a notable contribution from the back by scoring five league goals.

Despite those attacking numbers, Fernandez has occasionally attracted criticism for moments of uncertainty and errors. His partnership with Makhanya appears to have helped him become more composed, but Grant believes the underlying weakness remains.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Grant acknowledged the improvement but insisted that McInnes cannot completely relax whenever Fernandez is on the pitch.

Grant said Fernandez does look more composed, but added that he still sees an error in the defender’s game. He explained that, if he were McInnes, he would remain concerned because Fernandez has demonstrated the tendency repeatedly.

The former Celtic man pointed to Fernandez’s time at Peterborough as evidence. In Grant’s view, the defender can produce three or four excellent performances consecutively before making an avoidable mistake during a match.

That assessment presents Fernandez with a clear challenge. His recent displays have been encouraging, and Rangers’ defensive record suggests the team is functioning effectively, but Grant believes the centre-back must remove those lapses from his game if he wants to become completely trusted.

Ultimately, Fernandez has the perfect opportunity to answer the criticism himself: performances on the pitch.

Nobody can deny that the 25-year-old has produced positive moments for Rangers. His goals from defence have also demonstrated that he can contribute at the other end of the pitch.

Rangers’ defensive statistics provide strong evidence that Fernandez is part of a successful unit. The Gers have conceded only five goals in the Scottish Premiership so far. Only Celtic, who have allowed four, have a better defensive record.

Rangers’ seven-match winning streak also provides further evidence that the defence is doing its job. During that impressive sequence, McInnes’ team have conceded only two goals, underlining how difficult they have become to break down.

Those numbers should offer Fernandez plenty of confidence as he continues working alongside Makhanya. Rather than becoming distracted by outside criticism, the defender can focus on maintaining his form and developing the understanding he has established with his centre-back partner.

The younger defender has impressed since arriving and appears to have formed a promising partnership with his more experienced teammate. Together, they have contributed to a Rangers defence that currently looks considerably more settled than it did previously.

For Fernandez, consistency will now be the key. Grant’s criticism is not necessarily a verdict on his overall ability, but instead a warning about the concentration lapses that have occasionally affected his performances.

If Fernandez can eliminate those errors, he can strengthen his reputation among Rangers supporters and remove one of the main concerns surrounding his place in the team. McInnes trusts him enough to keep selecting him, and the results suggest that confidence is being rewarded.

The best response is to remain focused, avoid unnecessary mistakes and continue producing the kind of performances that have helped the club build momentum.

With Rangers conceding so few goals and collecting victories, Fernandez and Makhanya have a platform from which to continue developing. The centre-back can now let his football provide the answer to Grant and other doubters.

For the moment, the statistics are firmly on Rangers’ side. Fernandez may still have an error in him, according to Grant, but his performances are helping a Rangers defence that has become one of the strongest in Scotland. If he can maintain that level and cut out the costly mistakes, he could turn the criticism into a distant memory.