Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez believes their early European exits could work in their favour as they chase domestic success. The Ibrox side were knocked out of the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers early in the season as new boss Derek Mc Innes set about building a new squad.
Since then, form has turned around. Seven consecutive wins have lifted Rangers into second place in the league, and they are also through to the League Cup semi-final, where they will play Aberdeen at Hampden. League leaders Celtic play Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday, while third-place Hearts host Nordsjaelland in the Conference League, leaving Rangers with a free week to prepare for the trip to Dundee on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
Asked whether the lack of European football might help domestically, the 25-year-old centre-back told Sky Sports News: "100 per cent, because less games ultimately means less injuries and more time to be ready for the weekend, I guess." He added that the group can grow closer and build more connection after a window that brought a lot of new signings.
Fernandez, who joined from Peterborough last July, admitted he had a "shaky" start to the season but says he is getting back into his groove. He credited his growing relationship with Olwethu Makhanya, the South African centre-back who signed from Philadelphia Union and won the Scottish Premiership player of the month award for September, for helping him settle. The Nigeria international said the team still knows it can give more, with some games where it can score more and limit opposition chances.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing