Speaking at a press conference on Good Friday before his side's Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United, Rangers coach Danny Rohl highlighted Emmanuel Fernandez's impressive development, noting that the centre-back transitioned from a fringe squad member to a regular starter and now a Nigeria international.

Just a year ago, Fernandez was featuring in the third tier of English football with Peterborough United.

Since then, he has enjoyed a meteoric rise, making Europa League appearances and earning two caps for one of Africa's powerhouses, the Super Eagles.

In Nigeria's most recent outing, Fernandez further cemented his reputation as a goalscoring central defender, netting a poacher's finish in the first half of a 2-2 draw with Jordan, marking his starting debut for the three-time African champions.

Fernandez's move to Rangers was initially met with skepticism, and he struggled for minutes, occasionally even failing to make the bench.

When asked about the progress of the newly-capped Nigeria international, Rohl told reporters: "It's football. Football is about development; it's about belief. It was not easy for him. When I arrived, I will not say far away, but he was not in a position to be a starter, and timing played a part as well.

"We had the injuries, and then he stepped up. I had some conversations with him. In general now, it's a great performance week by week, though there are still things to improve. This is what we have. But when you look now, if you want, you sign a player from League One and prepare him.

"International experience as well, now he goes to the national team, and he scored. This is beside the results.

"It's an emotional thing for him in the last couple of days, travelling with the national team. This is what I tried to explain at the beginning."

Amid speculation linking Fernandez to Bundesliga and Premier League clubs, Rohl insists the centre-back is capable of performing at the highest level.

"Of course. He has six goals for us; he's calm on the ball. He is getting better and better defensively. That's the reason I put him on, and I trust him, and we should not forget he still plays on the left side with his right foot and is doing really well in this. I am happy with his development."

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported in February that Arsenal and Chelsea were among the Premier League clubs keeping tabs on the 24-year-old  Fernandez ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel