Injuries have become a familiar theme for Rangers FC over recent seasons, leaving the fans at Ibrox accustomed to this recurring issue. The team has been plagued by fitness problems, with several of their highest-paid players enduring long spells on the sidelines during critical moments of the season. Despite Philippe Clement’s efforts to address this ongoing problem, the latest injury could lead to regret over one of the club’s key transfer decisions from the summer.
As the transfer window was closing, Rangers were busy making final adjustments to their squad. The club aimed to offload players like Ben Davies, Scott Wright, and Todd Cantwell, while also securing new additions such as Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Nedim Bajrami. However, one player who could have been moved was Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo. Despite receiving loan offers from Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City, Rangers opted to keep Matondo, hoping to harness the potential of the former Manchester City youth.
Just days after the transfer window closed, Rabbi Matondo delivered a disappointing performance in the Old Firm derby. His lapse in defending allowed Alistair Johnston to score for Celtic, and he eventually had to leave the pitch due to an injury. This incident has cast a shadow over Rangers’ decision to retain Matondo, especially after a potential deal for Southampton’s Samuel Edozie fell through at the last minute.
The situation has worsened with Matondo’s recent injury forcing him to withdraw from the Welsh national team. The club’s Europa League squad announcement confirmed that Matondo, along with Ridvan Yilmaz and Danilo, is facing a significant period on the sidelines. This decision to keep Matondo now appears to be a misstep, as the winger’s absence is keenly felt, leaving Rangers short of options in a key position.
The recurring injuries of Matondo, who has struggled to maintain form and fitness throughout his tenure at Ibrox, have exacerbated the club’s challenges. With the latest injury potentially keeping him out until the end of the year, the decision to reject loan offers might have been a costly one. Had Matondo been sent out on loan to Norwich, he might have been showcasing his talents in the English Championship, and Rangers could have had a more reliable replacement in his place.
In summary, Rangers’ choice to retain Rabbi Matondo despite the opportunity to loan him out is now under intense scrutiny. With the winger’s ongoing injury issues adding to the club’s mounting problems, the impact on Rangers’ campaign could be substantial.