Philippe Clement was clear that he ‘expects’ Rabbi Matondo to still be a Rangers player come Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
But that doesn’t mean the Ibrox manager can guarantee that the Welsh winger will still in Glasgow when the transfer window slams shut in little over 36 hours.
The Gers are hard at work trying to shift players out and bring players in as Philippe Clement looks to finalise his squad for the first half of the campaign.
But just as Rabbi Matondo started showing Rangers fans flashes of what he can do, a bid for the winger has landed from the English Championship.
Rabbi Matondo subject to Championship bid
Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath is reporting that Premier League hopefuls Norwich City have had a late loan bid for Rabbi Matondo thrown out by Rangers.
The Ibrox side are clearly unwilling to play ball with any loan deal and as things stand, Matondo will still be staying in Glasgow.
The news comes as Rangers try to shift several players out of the club before deadline day.
Scott Wright is reportedly having a medical switch Birmingham City ahead of a move to the English League One side.
Todd Cantwell has also reportedly agreed a deal to move to Blackburn Rovers after telling Philippe Clement he wants to leave Ibrox.
Rangers are also trying to shift Romanian playmaker Ianis Hagi despite the 25-year-old’s public appeal to stay in Glasgow.
Rabbi Matondo to stay at Rangers
Rabbi Matondo is an enigmatic figure in the Rangers squad.
The 23-year-old has clear technical quality and searing pace, but between injuries and a lack of consistency has never quite managed to put it all together at Ibrox.
With Blackburn Rovers strongly linked to Matondo heading into transfer deadline day, Rabbi popped up with a stunning double showing in the 6-0 win over Ross County.
Also providing two assists, it was a glimpse into the more creative Matondo that Rangers fans have been waiting to see since a £2.5m move from Schalke 04 in 2022.
Come the full-time whistle Philippe Clement was asked about the future of Matondo and was pretty clear that Rangers are planning for the attacker to be part of their squad this season.
“What the future holds? That I hope that he continues what he’s been doing now,” Clement told Sky Sports after the rampant Ross County rout.
“And it’s again about details, working on that.
“He’s scored now two goals in front of goal, in the middle or even the first post.
“In the past he was always waiting for these balls on the second post and really waiting. Also details that we worked on last couple of weeks.
“I am happy also that they get the reward then for all the hard work that they’re doing.
“It’s about keeping this focus and concentration to focus on everything that they need to do on the pitch.”
Later Clement added: “I think he’s going to stay yeah. Otherwise somebody needs to come with enough money.
“That you never know in the last week, but my idea is that he will be here this season.”
