'Exciting young talent': Every word Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen said on Rangers newbie Rafael Fernandes
Today at 07:00 AM
After 18 days of sitting and waiting, Rangers’ first signing of the January transfer window emerged like a bolt from the blue.
Rafael Fernandes joins the Glasgow giants on an initial loan deal from Ligue 1 outfit Lille, with the option to make it permanent at the end of the current campaign.
A graduate of the fabled Sporting Lisbon academy, the former Portugal Under 20 international will be hoping, in his new Ibrox home, to secure the sort of regular game time which proved to be beyond him in France.
Rafael Fernandes arrives at Rangers having not played a single game at Lille after moving to the Stade Pierre Mauroy in a £2.5 million deal from Portuguese outfit Arouca a year ago this month, after all.
And, considering the defensive injury issues Philippe Clement has had to contend with, the addition of a 6ft 3ins centre-half feels particularly timely.
Rangers will still be without John Souttar, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo against Fraserburgh in Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash, though Clement plays down concerns over Robin Propper’s fitness after the Dutchman was forced off against Aberdeen in midweek.
No wonder, then, the Rangers boss is delighted to have Fernandes at his disposal.
Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen react as Rangers sign Rafael Fernandes
“I am really pleased to welcome Rafael to the squad,” Clement tells the official Rangers website. “He is a young defender who brings with him a lot of qualities which will be an asset for our team for the remainder of this season.
"He has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to working with him."
Technical director Nils Koppen masterminded such signings as Hamza Igamane and Jefte last summer, delving into lesser-spotted markets in pursuit of bargains. Igamane and Jefte set Rangers back around £2 million combined.
The former PSV Eindhoven talentspotter will hope to have pulled another rabbit out of the hat in Fernandes.
"It is fantastic to have Rafael joining Rangers for the remainder of the season,” Koppen adds, the 22-year-old the latest youthful addition to a team in transition. “He is another exciting young talent to add to our squad.
"We identified the defensive area as one we wanted to strengthen this window, and it is great to be able to add Rafael.
“I am sure he can continue to develop his game at Rangers, and I look forward to seeing him challenging our defensive players for playing time in the weeks and months ahead, and potentially into the seasons ahead also."
Fernandes joins Clinton Nsiala in new-look Rangers backline
A natural right-footer, Fernandes should provide some competition for Souttar at the heart of Clement’s backline. Rangers will be hoping that he can make an impact as immediate as that of Clinton Nsiala, the youngster only making his Premiership debut last week but already a firm fans favourite.
Nsiala even earned comparisons with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during his imperious display in Wednesday’s 3-0 thrashing of Aberdeen.
"He's been amazing," Rangers winger Ross McCausland says of his fellow youngster. "Just even the past few games watching him. Us on the bench were saying he was like [Liverpool captain Virgil] Van Dijk. A left-footed Van Dijk.
"It was good to see that he was ready for his opportunity and he's certainly took it."
