In a dramatic turn of events at Celtic Park, Rangers secured a memorable 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Celtic in the latest installment of the Old Firm derby, mounting a stunning second-half comeback after a difficult opening period. The triumph was overshadowed for one player, however, as defender Emmanuel Fernandez found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during the first half, drawing sharp criticism from former Rangers striker Billy Dodds.

The Ibrox side endured a torrid opening 45 minutes, with Celtic dominating proceedings and unleashing 11 shots compared to Rangers' meager two. The hosts took a deserved lead through a thunderous strike from Yang Hyun-Jun, putting Philippe Clement's team firmly on the back foot. It was during this period of Celtic pressure that Fernandez's performance came under intense scrutiny.

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Billy Dodds did not mince his words when assessing the 24-year-old centre-back's display. The former Scotland international suggested Celtic were deliberately targeting Fernandez's area of the pitch and delivered a memorable critique, stating the defender looked like 'he's towing a caravan' in reference to his perceived lack of mobility and sharpness. Dodds's analysis pointed to a specific tactical vulnerability that the Hoops sought to exploit during their period of dominance.

Fernandez's first-half statistics painted a mixed picture:

While his passing accuracy was respectable at approximately 86%, the broader context of the team's defensive struggles and Celtic's relentless attacks framed his performance in a negative light. Fernandez was paired with the returning John Souttar, who was making his first appearance after a two-month injury layoff, potentially adding to the defensive unit's instability.

🚀 A Tale of Two Halves

The narrative of the match, and indeed of Fernandez's evening, transformed completely after the interval. Rangers emerged from the dressing room a revitalized side, turning the contest on its head with a display of character and clinical finishing. The goals from Mikey Moore and Youssef Chermiti sealed a famous comeback victory, shifting the post-match discussion from criticism to celebration for the team as a collective.

This criticism stands in stark contrast to Fernandez's recent form. Just days before the derby, he was the hero in Rangers' 2-1 win over St Mirren, scoring a decisive second-half goal. That effort marked his third goal in his last eight Scottish Premiership appearances, a remarkable return for a central defender and a testament to his growing threat in attacking set-piece situations. In all eight of those matches, he has started and completed the full 90 minutes, indicating his importance to manager Danny Rohl's plans.

The defensive lineup was already compromised for this crucial fixture, with key defender Nasser Djiga absent. Djiga is currently on international duty, having helped Burkina Faso reach the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. His absence placed additional responsibility on the shoulders of Fernandez and Souttar, a partnership that had limited time to build understanding before facing one of world football's most intense derby atmospheres.

🔍 Transfer Window Activity and Squad Depth

The scrutiny on Fernandez's performance also brings the club's January transfer activity into focus. Rangers are actively seeking to bolster their defensive options, with a new left-back reportedly a priority. Talks are ongoing regarding the potential arrival of AEK Athens defender James Penrice. The 26-year-old former Hearts player only joined the Greek Super League side six months ago on a three-year contract, but Rangers are exploring a loan deal to address their defensive needs.

The pursuit of Penrice suggests the management is looking to increase competition and depth across the backline. A successful acquisition would provide Rohl with more options and flexibility, potentially allowing for rotation and tactical adjustments that could benefit the entire defensive unit, including Fernandez.

📈 The Bigger Picture for Fernandez and Rangers

The episode highlights the intense, unforgiving microscope under which players operate in the Glasgow footballing landscape. A poor 45-minute period in the country's biggest match can define the narrative, even when followed by a team victory and a much-improved second-half collective performance. For Fernandez, the challenge is to use the criticism as motivation, just as the team used their first-half deficit as a catalyst for their remarkable turnaround.

His goalscoring record proves he possesses valuable attributes, but consistency across 90 minutes in high-stakes environments is the benchmark for Rangers defenders. The return of Djiga from international duty and any potential new signings like Penrice will create a competitive environment in defense, which should, in theory, raise the performance levels of all involved.

For now, the Rangers support will cherish a monumental away victory at the home of their greatest rivals. The three points are paramount in the 2025-26 Premiership title race. For Emmanuel Fernandez, the match served as a harsh reminder of the standards required, but also as part of a winning team that demonstrated immense resilience. His journey from first-half scapegoat to member of a second-half winning team encapsulates the rollercoaster nature of football, especially in the fiery cauldron of the Old Firm derby.

The coming weeks will be telling. Can Fernandez solidify his place with a string of commanding performances? Will new defensive arrivals alter the pecking order? One thing is certain: in the goldfish bowl of Glasgow, every pass, every tackle, and every duel will continue to be analyzed with fervent passion. The victory at Celtic Park provides a solid foundation, but the work to maintain a title challenge is relentless.

Contextual background is sourced from Wikipedia, a widely referenced encyclopedia that helps frame how competitive systems invite intense scrutiny of individual performance within high-pressure rivalries; that lens mirrors how a single shaky half for Emmanuel Fernandez became a focal point despite Rangers’ eventual 3-1 comeback, showing how narratives can swing quickly when outcome, momentum, and spotlight moments collide.