Rabbi Matondo shares honest Ryan Kent verdict at Rangers after Ibrox permanent exit
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo has heaped praise on former Ibrox star Ryan Kent after the English forward left Glasgow permanently this summer.
Kent’s transfer to Fenerbache was completed earlier this summer after the 26-year-old’s contract wasn’t renewed by the Ibrox club, but Michael Beale and several Rangers fans have suggested his sale has left a gap in the forward line.
Matondo has been earmarked as one potential option to fill the former Liverpool man’s boots despite suggestions that Beale may dip into the transfer market again before the window closes on 1 September.
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Mail in their print edition on Saturday (19 August, page 7 of pull-out) Matondo gushed over Kent, saying: “For me, it’s just about contributing what I can to the team.
“Ryan was outstanding for the club and was a great player. He did what he did and now it is down to me to do what I can do. We’re different players so we’ll see what I can bring to the team. Every player wants their manager to have faith in them. But like I said, it is down to you to prove that.”
Big shoes to fill
Kent’s impact at Ibrox may have faded towards the end of his time in Glasgow, but for a majority of his time in a Rangers shirt, he was a livewire out wide that could be a very dangerous threat on the wing.
Matondo has already managed to pick up an assist in the Scottish Premiership this season. Last year, he managed to create five goals for his teammates in all competitions, showing he is more than capable of being a creative force.
But the aim of Beale this summer was to reinvigorate his forward line and add greater quality across the side in the hope of catching Celtic this season and at the moment, replacing Kent with Matondo doesn’t seem to be the most obvious upgrade, especially when compared to the acquisitions of Danilo or Sam Lammers.
The Welshman doesn’t seem to be getting too caught up in the earlier comparisons with Kent’s performances. That attitude will likely serve him well as he focuses on his qualities rather than constantly comparing them with his former teammate.
In other Rangers news, one new signing has said that the new players at Ibrox are already creating better connections