On a weekend in which Kieran Dowell made a fine first impression at Birmingham City, another former Rangers benchwarmer went one step further in a debut performance that will live long in the memory.
While Rangers loanee Dowell won over the Birmingham fans during Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win over Rotherham United – particularly as it was his sumptouos cross which paved the way for Jay Stansfield’s equaliser – Rabbi Matondo needed only half an hour to endear himself to the Hannover 96 fanbase.
Making his first appearance for the German second-tier outfit off the bench at half-time, Matondo weaved this way and that, tying the Hamburg backline in knots before unleashing a beautiful curling finish into the far corner.
A stunning solo goal, and the Man of the Match award to boot.
If only Jean-Luc Dompe had not levelled the scores again only a few moments later. To quote Hannover’s official website, this was an ‘almost perfect debut’.
Not quite everything he dreamed of, but not far off.
Rabbi Matondo opens up on Rangers frustrations after Hannover stunner
By his own admission, this had been a difficult few months for Rabbi Matondo.
The Welshman flew out of the blocks at the beginning of the campaign – he scored twice and assisted twice in August’s 6-0 thrashing of Ross County – only for an ill-timed injury to render that little more than a false dawn.
Once Matondo returned to selection months later, he had fallen behind a resurgent Ianis Hagi and deadline day recruit Nedim Bajrami in the pecking order. Philippe Clement even dropped Matondo from the Rangers’ squad in January before Hannover agreed a deal which could become permanent for £1 million.
“Shame not to get all three points in the end but great support from the travelling fans,” Matondo wrote on Instagram after his scintillating Hannover bow, putting a frustrating half-season behind him.
“On a personal note, delighted to get my first minutes and goal in Hannover colours. Great moment for me and my family.
“It’s been a tough season so far not gonna lie with all types of obstacles thrown my way but I guess that’s life at times. This is why I trust God to guide me through all the good and bad. God’s timing is always perfect.”
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Hannover boss thinks Matondo will bring something different
‘Trust’ seems to be an important word for Matondo right now. After losing Philippe Clement’s, he appears to have the faith of his new Hannover boss Andre Breitenreiter.
Hannover director Marcus Mann highlighted Matondo’s ‘exceptional’ pace when concluding a deal last week. Breitenreiter, the former Schalke boss, feels that the former Schalke and Manchester City youngster will bring an extra dimension to his attack with that explosive acceleration and his ability to beat a full-back one-v-one.
“We didn’t have this player profile,” Breitenreiter smiles. “That’s why Rabbi will do us a lot of good.”
A fresh start in Germany, on the evidence of that wonderful 45 minute cameo in Hamburg, will do Rabbi Matondo ‘a lot of good’ too.
