Revealed: Why Super Eagles hopeful Fernandez was omitted from Rangers matchday squad v Genk

Super Eagles hopeful Emmanuel Fernandez was forced to sit out Rangers' Europa League league phase opener on Thursday night as the Scottish giants slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Racing Genk at Ibrox Stadium.

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that the summer signing from Peterborough United was unavailable for selection due to injury, extending his absence to three consecutive matches in all competitions. 

The promising centre-back had also missed recent fixtures against Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian.

Since his arrival in Glasgow, Fernandez has featured in only two matches, making his debut in both the League Cup and Premiership against Alloa Athletic and St. Mirren, and notably marked his first appearance with a goal in August.

There was still Nigerian involvement at Ibrox, with Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma playing the full 90 minutes for Rangers, while Genk introduced forward Noah Adedeji-Sternberg as a 64th minute substitute.

Rangers' hopes of salvaging a result faded after they were reduced to ten men just before half-time. 

Jack Butland's penalty save from Oh Hyeon-gyu offered brief respite, but the South Korean forward struck decisively in the 55th minute to secure victory for the visitors.

Eligible to represent both England and Nigeria, Fernandez dreams of playing for the three-time African champions but is yet to be approached by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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