Rangers bumps on the road expected as Rabbi Matondo vows he's the man for any Michael Beale system
The Light Blues have responded well to losing their opening game at Rugby Park.
Rangers assistant boss Neil Banfield warned the fans there will be bumps along the road as Michael Beale gels his new-look team together - and Rabbi Matondo says he’s ready to play his part after a difficult start to his Ibrox career.
Banfield insists he’s fully focused on Morton in their Viaplay Cup last-16 tie at Ibrox on Saturday as he dared not look towards PSV Eindhoven in that Champions League play-off round first leg just yet. The former Arsenal assistant No. 2 reflected on a good week that saw them beat Livingston in the Scottish Premiership and earn a draw in Servette to progress in UEFA’s premier competition.
It comes after that opening day shock defeat at Kilmarnock but Banfield warned: “When you are building a group you are always going to have bumps along the road but we're ironing them out and it will only get better and better as time goes on. Fans always want winning straight away and we have to take that as it is. We could ask for patience but they want the team to win and we can feel that when we play and that's what we want to give them.
“This is a big cup game, we have great history in this competition and we will pick a team to win the match. It's about relationships within the group and we are building on the pitch and we are seeing the improvement. The manager gives really clear messaging and the team knows the direction we are heading in. I don’t think we can look beyond Morton. We give them full respect and we will focus on PSV after that. It was a great week for the lads, the games are coming fast now. We need to now move onto Morton on Saturday.”
Matondo move to Ibrox last year for a fee of around £3 million from Schalke but the Wales international winger struggled and Beale admitted he was struggling with confidence. But the 22-year-old, linked with an exit after just 12 months, said: “The manager has been honest and open with me. We have a good relationship.
“The more I take my opportunities, the more game time I will get. We have a lot of talent at Rangers and everyone has to take the opportunity. Everyone wants to play football, but sometimes you ave to keep grafting and waiting for your opportunity. It is down to me to be fit, work hard and show that I am ready.
“I haven’t reached the levels I have wanted to reach. I’m not stressing or panicking. This can happen in football and it is up to me to contribute. I know my quality, it was good to show my game last week and I have to keep delivering in every game.
“I feel like I can fit in the system the manager wants. I am naturally a wide players but I am also happy to play inside. I feel like I am in a good place right now and enjoying my football. I’m pushing hard. The manager has brought in a lot of talent. For me, it is about showing what I can bring to the team."