Emmanuel Fernandez insists he will thrive under the pressure at Rangers

Emmanuel Fernandez insists he will thrive under the pressure at Rangers as he begins to at last chalk up first-team appearances.

The 24-year-old defender signed from Peterborough in the summer for a reported fee of £3m when Russell Martin was boss but made only his third start for the Light Blues under his successor Danny Rohl against Livingston at Ibrox last month, where he opened the scoring in the narrow 2-1 win.

With injuries to fellow centre-backs John Souttar and Derek Cornelius, Fernandez kept his place for the home 1-1 Europa League draw against Braga last Thursday night and the goalless William Hill Premiership draw against Falkirk at Ibrox on Sunday, where fans’ frustrations were again heard loud and clear after more points were dropped.

Ahead of the league game against Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday night, the Londoner was upbeat and positive, saying: “It’s been good. It’s something I’ve waited for and something I’ve wanted for a while now.

“I just need to keep my rhythm now, keep focused and keep going.

“I can feel it. I know the pressure but I like pressure. That’s the reason I wanted to play football when I was growing up.

“I feel like I’m a player who can be good when it gets hard. I think I can do a lot for this team.

“I was expecting what I’ve come into here. Nothing has surprised me. I know there’s pressure here and people want us to win.

“They want us to win every game and that’s what we have to try and do.

“The main thing is just to stay focused on the game and what the manager wants us to do and just keep communicating with your team-mates.

“I think I’ve had a positive impact on the team. Obviously, there’s still improvements to come but I feel it’s been positive so far.

“It’s a chance for me to stake my claim. Certain things like this happen in football and this is a chance for me to stamp my place in the team and stay there for as long as I can.”