Rabbi Matondo to hit ground running under Michael Beale as Rangers footage emerges from Auchenhowie – pundit
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Tam McManus has backed Rabbi Matondo to improve under Michael Beale after a “disappointing” start to life as a Rangers player.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst signed Matondo, 22, from Schalke in July after a £2.5million deal was agreed with the German club [Herald].
However, since his move, the Wales international has been thoroughly underwhelming as he’s yet to score in 18 appearances and only started six Scottish Premiership games.
It remains to be seen how Matondo will get on under new leadership with Michael Beale now in charge at Ibrox.
However, the signs have been good so far with video footage emerging from Auchenhowie showing Beale raving about the Welsh winger in a training session.
RangersReview journalist Joshua Barrie uploaded the video on his personal Twitter account on 1 December.
McManus isn’t pleased with Matondo’s performances so far but he’s backing the former Cardiff and Manchester City talent to possibly improve under Beale.
“Unfortunately, he’s been disappointing since he came in,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“There was a big expectation of him in the summer and it just hasn’t happened for him for whatever reason.
“Beale coming in is a fresh start for every player and Matondo will be looking to hit the ground running.
“He’s played for some big clubs having started off at Man City so there’s big expectation on him to do the business at Rangers.
“At Ibrox, you have instant judgements and I do think a lot of Rangers supporters have made their minds up with him.
“But it’s up to him to show that he can have a future at Rangers because up until now, he’s only shown flashes of little bits of quality.
“It’s been disappointing because you’ve got to do more than that. You have to score goals most weeks and he hasn’t done that.”
In other Rangers news, this prolific goalscorer is “excited” by speculation linking him with a move to Ibrox in January.