We’re sorry, but an-admittedly bright 30-minute cameo against St Mirren isn’t proof Rangers should give Rabbi Matondo a chance, at all, despite what his old captain Hannes can der Bruggen says.
See, Rabbi Matondo was slated as the big answer for Rangers’ long-lasting right-wing position issue, with not a soul having nailed down that slot for as much as decades.
The last good right winger Rangers had? The legendary Brian Laudrup. It’s been that long since our club had a convincing solution on that side, we’re now talking into about 30 years here. And yes we include Danny Candeias in all this, who was ok, but far from impressive.
So it’s a long-standing bugbear for this club and we can’t say Matondo is exactly matching up as a suitable solution. Managing 30 reasonable minutes against St Mirren with an assist is no more evidence he’s the answer than managing 79 v Hearts at Tynecastle at the start of the season, also with an assist.
His stats, yes, were encouraging – managing some key passes, that assist, a couple of dribbles and some solid passing. But it would take a lot more than having a decent cameo against a side in 5th with just two wins in the last 5 to convince us.
What we will say in young Rabbi’s favour is this: it’s basically the end of the season, and league-wise we can afford to trial and experiment. Given how flaky Fashion is, how routinely-injured Roofe is, and how lazy Tillman is, there is a chance for Michael Beale to give Matondo a few more outings, and see if he can keep it up.
There’s no harm now league-wise.
But there is a cup semi to play in 12 days or so, and that’s not the time to experiment. Not against Celtic. It’s the one to stop them getting the inevitable treble (not going to happen) and given three failed attempts, Beale ‘has to get it right’ (we don’t expect him to).
But why not give Matondo the floor at Hampden? Can he do worse than Tillman, Fashion etc?
Yes, this article has gone from slating Matondo to encouraging the club to start him against Celtic.
That’s how flaky our club has been this season – making your Rangers mind up has never been harder.