'We needed to have more fight' - Fernandez

Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez admits there was a lack of fight in their Old Firm derby defeat by Celtic on Sunday.

Danny Rohl's side lost 3-1 after taking the lead at Celtic Park - a third consecutive loss which ended their Premiership title hopes.

Rangers must now hope Celtic beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final to stop them sliding from the Europa League into the Conference League qualifiers at the start of next season.

"I couldn't pinpoint an issue, I just feel like maybe we needed to have a bit more fight," Fernandez said.

"We knew it was going to be a fight. There were moments in games where we had fight.

"But in football there are going to be moments where you are going to struggle and go under in the 90 minutes.

"I feel that, as a young team if we are going to grow, if you are going to struggle you stick together and all defend together. Then, when you come out of it, you have opportunities to score. That is something we have to improve on."

Rangers went into half-time level on Sunday, but conceded twice in four second-half minutes before Celtic saw the result through.

It was another example of Rangers failing to deliver a 90-minute performance and Fernandez understands why pundits and supporters might question the players' mentality.

"This is going to happen when you lose three games in a row," the 24-year-old said.

"I feel like when it comes to the point where you could potentially win the title people are going to question your mentality.

"Look, I don't think it has anything to do with the mentality, I just think there are moments where we need to do better.

"Sometimes, this happens in football, sometimes you come under duress, and we just didn't come through it. I wouldn't say it has anything to do with mentality."

[BBC]