'He did it brilliantly': What Rafael Fernandes' former coach said about 'remarkable' Rangers newbie
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Upon Rafael Fernandes’ official unveiling as a Rangers player over the weekend, Ibrox boss Philippe Clement highlighted a few key attributes the Lille loanee will bring to the Scottish Premiership giants.
Rafael Fernandes adds real pace to the Rangers squad, Clement says, as well as an impressive passing range, genuine physical prowess at 6ft 3ins, and real athleticism.
The former Portugal Under-21 international, joining Rangers on an initial loan deal after struggling to nail down a place in the LOSC Lille side following his £2.5 million switch to French football, certainly appears well-suited, on paper at least, to the rigours of life in Scotland.
In a league boasting plenty of imposing centre-forwards, Fernandes’ rangy frame and his speed across the ground should ease any concerns over his adaptation.
And, after Rangers’ rising star Clinton Nsiala was likened to Virgil van Dijk due to his eye-catching distribution on his trusty left foot, the addition of Fernandes – he averaged a 91 per cent pass completion rate in Portugal with Arouca – should only enhance a Rangers team who still have a long way to go in terms of their build-up play against deep-block defences.
Rangers loanee Rafael Fernandes ‘really wants to succeed’
Well-travelled coach Daniel Ramos worked with Fernandes during his breakout spell at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca back in 2023.
And, while Clement opted to focus on the qualities the 22-year-old will bring on the pitch, it was Fernandes’ attitude off it which really caught Ramos’ eye.
“[Rafael Fernandes] was determined to improve and he did it brilliantly,” the former Boavista, Rio Ave and Famalicao coach said during their time together at the Aveiro-based outfit.
“He has done a remarkable job in terms of improving. He is a kid who really wants to succeed. He is humble, he works well and he can still do better.”
The phrase ‘coach’s dream’ comes to mind.
Rangers’ technical director Nils Koppen was delighted to introduce Rafael Fernandes to the Ibrox faithful on Saturday, labelling him another ‘exciting, young’ addition to slot in alongside the likes of Jefte and Hamza Igamane.
And while Philippe Clement is keen to take things slowly with Fernandes – he was reluctant to throw Igamane and the deep end and now appears to be urging similar patience with the club’s new number 28 – one thing Rangers can bank on is that the Lille loanee will not shy away from the responsibilities imposed upon him in Scotland.
“That is the encouragement that we, as coaches, have to give him, to correct some aspects and be upfront in telling him what he needs to improve,” Ramos added. “He has made this effort, grown, and has earned our trust.
“[He has earned] opportunities to play, deservedly, and he has taken advantage of them.”
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Philippe Clement expects big things of Portugal starlet at Ibrox
A graduate of the fabled Sporting Lisbon academy, the right-footed Fernandes should help ease Rangers’ reliance on the injury-hit John Souttar.
Robin Propper has filled in on the right of the centre-back duo in recent times. But, outshone by young Nsiala, the Dutchman is still yet to convince on Scottish soil.
Fernandes arrives having not played a single Ligue 1 match this season, however. As such, Clement insists that Rangers will not throw him in at the deep end before the January addition is ready to shed his armbands.
"I'm very happy," Clement said over the weekend when asked about Fernandes’ addition. "We believe in his potential.
"He's not somebody who will be directly ready. He played almost nothing in the last year. But the scouting team saw him play the year before in Portugal. I saw also several games of that.
"He's showing several attributes. He's fast, he can do good passing, he's powerful, he's young and athletic. We get good information in Lille also with players who were training with him."
