Rangers manager Philippe Clement has indicated that Rabbi Matondo could be fielded in a new role when the Wales international returns from injury.
The former Club Brugge and Genk boss came up against Rabbi Matondo during their time together in the Belgian top flight, and Clement is keen to tap into the winger’s past in order to ensure a bright future at Ibrox.
Since joining from Schalke in a £3 million deal back in 2022, Matondo has been utilised as a winger in Glasgow. Clement, however, is keen to point out that the Liverpool-born speedster enjoyed the best spell of his career in a more central position during that loan spell at Cercle Brugge a couple of seasons back.
Matondo scored ten times during his spell in Belgium. At Rangers, he has found the net just twice, despite playing 10 games more for the Scottish Premiership giants.
New role for Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo
“Rabbi Matondo can play also central, and played well in Belgium as a second striker,” Clement tells the Daily Record. “He is an electric player. So fast one-on-one.”
The one-time Manchester City starlet enjoyed an impressive start to his second season at Rangers before suffering an injury which has kept him out since September. It remains to be seen if he is fit enough to return for Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen. But, even if he does, Clement is wary of expecting too much too soon.
“He is coming back from an injury,” adds the ex-Monaco coach. “So we can’t expect his highest level from the first minute he plays. He has to build back up.”
Aberdeen test at Pittodrie
Aberdeen have a point to prove at Pittodrie, still reeling from that 6-0 hammering by Celtic before the international break. Clement also has a decision to make over who to start in that number ten role.Fformer Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson hopes to see Tom Lawrence get the nod over the much-maligned Sam Lammers.
