The highly anticipated Old Firm derby on Sunday delivered its usual blend of intense drama and fierce rivalry, with Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez finding himself firmly in the spotlight during a chaotic opening sequence. Deployed at the heart of a hybrid defensive back three, the athletic centre-back endured a remarkably turbulent start against Celtic that left fans and pundits alike holding their breath in the stands.
Celtic immediately tested the Rangers backline by aggressively deploying consistent long balls from the very first whistle. This direct approach was spearheaded by Camilo Duran, who was handed a surprising starting role over Kasper Hogh. The tactical shift put Fernandez under immense physical pressure immediately. Within the opening five minutes of the match, the tension boiled over as Fernandez clumsily dragged down the Celtic striker. This foul left referee John Beaton with no choice but to issue a very early yellow card. The fiery atmosphere quickly spilled over into the technical areas as well, resulting in a swift booking for Rangers manager Derek McInnes as the first half threatened to spiral completely out of control.
The controversial drama surrounding Fernandez did not stop at his initial booking. As the frantic half progressed, the defender was involved in several nervy altercations that drew sharp criticism from the commentary box. During a live broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton issued a stern warning regarding the defender’s erratic on-field conduct. Sutton noted that Fernandez was incredibly fortunate to escape a second yellow card and a subsequent red after what appeared to be a blatant attempt to simulate a foul to win a cheap free-kick. Sutton loudly advised that the Rangers player needed to be extremely careful given his existing caution.
Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield echoed these exact concerns during the broadcast analysis. Arfield observed that Fernandez looked visibly rattled by the occasion, especially following a heated physical clash with Benjamin Nygren that easily could have resulted in a dismissal on another day.
Despite the chaotic opening ten minutes, Rangers managed to successfully weather the early storm. Much like the previous week, the high-stakes match was played entirely without away supporters, creating a uniquely hostile environment that the home side eventually learned to navigate. Following Fernandez’s early booking, Rangers gradually settled down and began to dictate the match tempo. The midfield duo of Dan Neil and Nicolas Raskin took firm control of possession, providing a much-needed steadying influence and creating dangerous offensive opportunities out on the wings.
Their tactical persistence eventually paid off through a brilliant direct attacking move. A stunning long-range volley from Kim Minsu forced a desperate save, and Ryan Naderi was perfectly positioned to tap the loose rebound into the net, giving Rangers a crucial advantage. This breakthrough was exactly what the home side deserved and helped calm the lingering nerves in the defensive ranks. The advantage really should have been doubled shortly after when Djeidi Gassama executed a magnificent touch and chip, only to narrowly miss the target.
While Fernandez may have looked unsteady in the opening exchanges, it was ultimately the Celtic supporters watching from home who spent the majority of the first half in total frustration as their side was comprehensively outplayed.