Joe Ellis

Sun 2 October 2022 20:10, UK

Rangers were much more like their usual selves on Saturday as they steamrolled past Hearts at Tynecastle, winning by a four-goal margin.

Antoni Colak continued his sensational start to life as a Light Blues player as he netted twice in the first half to put Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side well on their way to victory.

Alfredo Morelos came off the bench to add the third before Ryan Kent scored in injury time but despite the rout, Rabbi Matondo was the first to admit that the previous handful of games had not been good enough.

“We know how good we can be,” Matondo said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “We have been ‘off the races’ in some games, let’s say, but we have so much quality in our team, so much personality and so much passion.

“This game and this result on Saturday can help us to go on into a tough game against Liverpool on Tuesday.”

Battle cry

When you are only days away from such a big game, that kind of motivation and belief is exactly what you need and Matondo is rejuvenated at Ibrox now.

His start to life in Glasgow has not yet gone as he would have wished having not even been in the squad to play Dundee United before the international break but it is never over until the lady sings (as the saying goes).

The Welsh international has used his time well recently to get back into van Bronckhorst’s plans and made a very good case to start against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds on Tuesday in the Champions League but there are other players in contention too.

Malik Tillman and Scott Wright will be the duo most likely to force their way in as natural wingers but with Liverpool likely to be favourites for the game, it might not be a bad idea to try something new.

Morelos’ goal might just be the springboard to him finding form again and to have him alongside Colak up top could be very dangerous for anyone they come up against.

In other Rangers news, the club have confirmed the loan exit of one of their young starlets from the B team and he has moved up two divisions.