With Tom Lawrence’s injury, one man has a major chance to stake a claim for a regular Rangers jersey, but he won’t have it all his own way as another provides competition.
Rabbi Matondo has shown some serious potential the past two matches, with his excellent assist v Hearts and near-goal v Liverpool, the Wales winger demonstrating that while it’s taken him a while to truly settle, there is a lot more to come from him, as we’ve preached a few times on Ibrox Noise.
But with the return of Kemar Roofe, the Jamaican’s availability means the former Schalke winger will have to really deliver to secure selection in upcoming matches.
Lawrence’s injury means we lose one Wales attacker potentially till next year, but the recovery at long last by Roofe from injury and the slow improvement of Matondo demonstrates Rangers are actually ok for the right wing.
Indeed, we know how good Roofe is actually capable of being, his talent being quite exceptional as Liege once found out to their cost, but his consistency, fitness and indeed attitude have been major questions this year and it had looked like he was on his way out in the summer.
He survived – and when looking at his stats, he’s impressive attacker for sure.
But Matondo came to Rangers to play, to prove himself at a high level – he’s done well in Belgium, it’s why the club bought him, and he has pace to burn as well as skill and trickery, but time will tell who of he and Roofe start to make that right side their own.
It is a good problem to have, and hopefully they both thrive and give the manager a real problem.