Russell Martin could soon have secret weapon to call upon as player teases Rangers return
Russell Martin’s future as Rangers manager has continued to be debated over the international break, with his side sitting seventh in the Scottish Premiership.
Russell Martin continues to face the sack at Rangers, following the team’s abysmal start to the season.
Rangers have drawn four games from four in the league, whilst an embarrassing 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers has left Ibrox in a state of mutiny.
Martin has spent big in the transfer window, yet he may be able to depend on a Rangers star who has alluded to his imminent return to football.
Rabbi Matondo’s Instagram post suggests he may available for Rangers soon
Rabbi Matondo, on loan at German side Hannover last season, is recovering from a knee injury, although his wait to play at Ibrox again may soon be over.
On Instagram on Friday, he posted an image of himself celebrating in a Rangers kit, with an hourglass emoji just above it.
With this clearly hinting that he is close to being match fit, Matondo will need to hit the ground running if he is to alleviate the pressure surrounding the club.
Matondo joined the club in 2022, following a great season at Cercle Brugge.
However, since his arrival, he has been underwhelming as Rangers have looked to close the gap on Celtic.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Rangers – 2022/23 | 28 | 0 | 4 |
| Rangers – 2023/24 | 31 | 6 | 3 |
| Rangers – 2024/25 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| Hannover (loan) – 2024/25 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
Matondo’s only real moment of note at Rangers was a last-minute equaliser against Celtic in 2024, and Martin will be expecting much more from the Wales international.
While Matondo’s Ibrox career has not yet taken off, he may just be the secret weapon Martin needs should he hit the ground running – that Celtic goal being an example of what he can do.
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Russell Martin’s future could be decided in the next three matches
Martin has been backed by Kevin Thelwell, yet a winless run in the next three games would surely be the end for him.
Rangers’ next three matches are all at Ibrox, and are all in different competitions.
A league match against table-toppers Hearts is swiftly followed by a League Cup meeting against Hibernian.
Rangers then host Genk as they kickstart their Europa League campaign and is pretty much essential that Martin wins all three matches, otherwise even more Rangers fans will start to turn on him.
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