Rangers slammed over 'massive mistake' amid failure to get rid of costly 1st-team ace

Rangers made a huge error in not offloading Rabbi Matondo when they had the chance, according to Derek Ferguson.

The Welsh winger was linked to both Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers during the transfer window, while Norwich had a loan offer rejected [Football Scotland, 30 August].

But the 24-year-old saved arguably his best game for the Light Blues until right before the deadline and seemingly convinced Philippe Clement at the right time.

That was quickly exposed as a mistake as he was ruled out for as long as three months with injury [Football Scotland, 5 September] in the latest interruption to his stop-start Ibrox career.

Ferguson doesn't believe Matondo has ever offered enough of a consistent option during his time at Rangers, despite being thought to be on one of the best contracts, and the likes of Ross McCausland should be prioritised.

And having not moved the former Schalke player on when the opportunity looked to be there this summer the pundit feels the club are now paying for that decision.

Rabbi Matondo out injured for Rangers since Celtic loss

He exclusively told Ibrox News: "Again, this is where he we have issues. This is where we got back to Dave King and getting people in who can make decisions with recruitment and getting players off the wage bill.

"That was a massive mistake. Matondo should not still be at Rangers Football Club. 

"We should be leaning towards the younger players like wee McCausland or maybe looking at one or two others.

"It was a massive mistake in my opinion that we didn't get him out the door because he also looks injury-prone.

"He gives you flashes. That's not good enough for Rangers Football Club. You need players that are going to consistently do it over the course of a season, over the course of 90 minutes, if we're going to be challenging Celtic. 

"We should have tried to sell him, tried to get him out the door. We've not done it and we're paying the cost for that."

In other Rangers news, Ianis Hagi is expected to be on the way out at Ibrox despite his return to the side.

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