Emmanuel Fernandez, a defender for Rangers, believes that the club's early exit from European competitions could ultimately aid their pursuit of domestic glory. The Ibrox side faced setbacks in the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers under new manager Derek McInnes, but have since rebounded with seven consecutive wins, placing them in second in the Scottish Premiership. They are also set to compete in the League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen.

While Celtic plays Benfica and Hearts hosts Nordsjaelland in Europe this week, Rangers have enjoyed a week off to prepare for their upcoming match against Dundee. A victory could propel them to the top of the table, although Celtic could reclaim that position shortly thereafter.

Fernandez commented on the potential advantages of fewer games, stating, "100 per cent, because less games ultimately means less injuries and more time to be ready for the weekend." He emphasizes the importance of building connections within the squad, particularly with new signings like Olwethu Makhanya, who has made a significant impact since joining from Philadelphia Union.

Reflecting on his own performance, Fernandez acknowledged a rocky start to the season but is optimistic about regaining his form. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to improve, stating, "I still think there's more to come... we know we can still score more goals and limit the amount of [opposition] chances."

Despite a recent 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock, Fernandez was disappointed to concede a late goal that denied the team a sixth clean sheet in seven matches. He stressed the importance of maintaining defensive strength as Rangers aim to limit goals conceded in the league.