Zak Lovelace Rangers prediction made, he's a better option than Rabbi Matondo

Rangers might look to use Zak Lovelace more when he is fit again as he represents a better option than Rabbi Matondo, according to Derek Ferguson.

The teenager, 18, was handed his full debut by Steven Davis back in November after a series of substitute appearances but sustained a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since.

Fellow wideman Matondo was the subject of reported last-gasp loan approaches from the Bundesliga and Serie A on deadline day that were rejected by the club (Football Scotland,1 February).

Matondo, 23, has only been used sparingly himself this season making four Scottish Premiership starts in a struggle for consistent game time.

Former Rangers man Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, thinks Lovelace can usurp him in the pecking order in the long term.

He said: "There's a boy in the background called Lovelace.

"He got injured at St Mirren, it was a bad one. But he's got the capability to get into the Rangers first team and affect games.

"He could actually be a better option than Matondo but that's just my personal opinion."

Rangers need to get Lovelace involved

There is a lot of truth in what Ferguson is saying in an ideal world. Lovelace is younger than Matondo, who has not yet been able to prove he can be a consistent option in the first team.

What they need to do is make sure that Lovelace gets involved when he's back fit because the London-born forward is sure to have plenty of interest back down south.

Rangers certainly will not want their teenage gem to depart Ibrox without realising his full potential and, you have to say, Matondo has not taken his opportunity - perhaps Lovelace can.

In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has made a title-race prediction after Celtic's January business.

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