Michael Beale to give Rabbi Matondo first start since November – Rangers predicted XI vs Aberdeen
Michael Beale is predicted to hand Rabbi Matondo a first Rangers start in over five months for the trip to face Aberdeen in the SPFL.
The Welsh international’s lack of impact due to injury after his summer move from Schalke has been part of the frustration around the recent transfer business at the club, but he got an opportunity off the bench against St Mirren at the weekend (15 April) and did well in the 5-2 win.
With Ryan Jack, Ridvan Yilmaz, Antonio Colak, Scott Wright and Ryan Kent adding to the missing Connor Goldson for that game [Glasgow World, 14 April] the manager is unlikely to rush any back into the line up too soon but can afford Matondo a change to gain momentum.
Beale was unhappy with the defending on the day [Daily Record, 16 April] and were the next match against another side he might think about giving Leon King a start, but while there is little to be gained in terms of league position, Aberdeen is still a big game.
Malik Tillman is the man to drop out for Matondo’s first start since the 1-0 win over Hearts on 9 November, with the line up otherwise remaining the same due to the injury issues.
With the Scottish Cup semi final against Celtic to come on 30 April Beale won’t want to risk further absences, although any returning players could well feature off the bench to get some sharpness back.
Allan McGregor may be on his way out but will probably keep the gloves at least until after the Old Firm derby, before Robbie McCrorie gets a look in.
James Tavernier isn’t going anywhere, and if Goldson is set to be out for any length of time John Souttar and Ben Davies need to build up as much comfort and understanding as possible to avoid blunders like the 3-2 defeat at Parkhead.
Borna Barisis may need to make way for Yilmaz to get some games before long but it is unlikely to be from the start here.
Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield are slight possibilities in midfield, but Beale is predicted to stick with John Lundstram and Nico Raskin, with a view to getting Jack back in place of the former.
Todd Cantwell, Fashion Sakala and Alfredo Morelos were all on the scoresheet against St Mirren, and while the latter is set to leave this summer those three likely keep their places.
In other Rangers news, a “raft of new players” could be incoming amid a final-sounding update on a major exit.