Former Rangers Defender Heaps Praise on Emmanuel Fernandez

Rangers return to action against Kilmarnock this Saturday at Ibrox, and the preparations for that game are already underway for Derek McInnes and co.

The Gers entered the international break with back-to-back Old Firm victories under their belt, which saw them advance to the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup and close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to just two points behind the Celts.

After bouncing back from a poor start to the campaign, McInnes' men will go into this Saturday's game looking to extend their winning streak to seven games.

The Teddy Bears have also kept clean sheets in five of their last six games this season, pointing out the crucial role played by their defenders during the opening months of the campaign.

Olwethu Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez have seemingly grown into their roles brilliantly with every game so far this season.

However, just like Nicolas Raskin, Fernandez was also being linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer following a brilliant debut campaign with the Light Blues.

But now, along with his teammate Raskin, the Gers were able to hold on to the Nigerian center-back this summer, despite heavy interest coming in from a number of top European clubs.

Now, Fernandez's recent brilliant displays for the Teddy Bears have seemingly attracted the eye of a former Rangers defender.

Kirk Broadfoot, the former Rangers man who his currently a part of Kilmarnock's coaching staff, heaped praise on the Gers' 24-year-old center-back (h/t The Scotsman), saying, "I think a big one was keeping big Fernandez, keeping him here. He looks like an unbelievable player. I just think he's an all-round athlete. He's good on the ball. He's very good in the air. He's confident. He can probably do what he wants in the game, to be honest. He is the type of player that people look for."

Fernandez's role in the Gers' recent success often gets overlooked, as the attacking players usually steal the limelight from the center-back.

However, the Nigerian defender winning the club's Player of the Season award and featuring in the PFA Team of the Season during his debut campaign with Rangers is no small feat.

It certainly seems obvious for someone of Fernandez's caliber to leave the Gers in the near future, a transfer that is expected to add a decent figure to the club's treasury.

But up until then, the Gers will look to make full use of their star center-back as they restart their campaign against Broadfoot's side this Saturday.