The brother of Emmanuel Fernandez has offered a vivid, emotional insight into what it was like to witness his sibling’s first Old Firm derby from the Rangers end at Celtic Park, sharing the experience with supporters via TikTok.
Posting under the backdrop of Celtic 1–3 Rangers, he described a day that began hours before kick-off, with away supporters escorted into the stadium by police at 10am well ahead of the 12.30pm start.
“Today was mental. Rangers v Celtic. Manny’s first derby,” he said.
“We had to get there at 10am to be escorted by police.
“We even had to send our mum home as this wasn’t any ordinary game.”
From the moment supporters approached the ground, the scale and intensity of the occasion hit home.
“The chanting started before we even got into the stadium,” he explained.
“No one sat down. Everyone stood and sang for three to four hours.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
As the match unfolded, nerves set in - not just for himself, but for what his brother must have been feeling on the pitch.
He said: “My heart was racing. I could only imagine how Manny felt.
“Celtic’s intensity in the first half was crazy.”
After falling behind before the break, Rangers second-half response flipped the contest. The TikTok highlighted the influence of Mohamed Diomande and Yousef Chermiti, whose two goals sealed the derby win.
“Diomande changed the game completely and Chermiti - those two finishes?
“I don’t want to hear any more slander.
“Perfect way to silence the haters.”
Watching from the stands, he sensed a shift after the equaliser.
He said: “Once the first goal went in, it felt like Manny and the whole squad just raised the level.
“They showed they came to win - and the fans matched it.”
Beyond the result, the day carried deeper personal meaning.
Fernandez wears the number 37 in tribute to both brothers eldest sibling, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 37.
The TikTok also forms part of a wider series documenting Fernandez’s journey: from signing for Rangers, to his European debut in the UEFA Europa League against Braga, and now his first Old Firm appearance.
Once considered unfancied during the early months of his Ibrox career under Russell Martin, “Manny” has flourished under new head coach Danny Rohl - becoming a defensive mainstay and a growing threat from set pieces.
That progress was not lost on his brother.
“I spoke to loads of fans - they were hailing me from my TikToks,” he said.
“I’ll keep posting them. Football fans, non-football fans - everyone should experience one of these derbies.
“I’m just so proud of him. The progress he’s made in such a short period of time is phenomenal.”