During the first half of the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Sunday, the towering defender was involved in a tussle with the Belgian player, who fell to the ground following contact with Fernandez’s elbow. However, no further action was taken following the incident.
However, former referee Des Roach believes that the 24-year-old could have been punished for this altercation. “Now I’ve seen that incident between Fernandez and Engels back a few times; he was very lucky,” he said. [Daily Record]
“I think Engels pulling at him and making him off balance is what saved him. However, on many other occasions, this could very easily have been a red card for Fernandez.
“Extremely fortunate. You can’t just throw out an elbow.”
Fernandez, who joined Rangers from Peterborough United last summer, started alongside John Souttar, as Danny Rohl’s side came from behind to secure a crucial 3-1 victory, which brought the team level on points with Celtic.
Following the game, Rohl expressed his delight after securing his first derby win as Rangers head coach. “I think for us it was a perfect game for a story, I think to come back after 1-0 down is not an easy way, I think in the first half the opponent deserved to be up in the lead, they were more aggressive in the 50-50 duels, they played in behind,” he said.
“But then we turned it back to our side in the second half, we were incredible, and then the second story, of course, with Youssef (Chermiti), who scored, I think this is what we want to see.
“Big respect to my group of players, the belief was there at halftime, we spoke just about tactical things, we changed something in the pressing, and we were from the first minute in the game in the second half.”