Real Betis victory gives us belief we can beat any team says Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo
RABBI MATONDO claims Rangers can compete with ANYONE.
The Ibrox side beat Real Betis in their Europa League opener on Thursday to ease the pressure on under-fire gaffer Michael Beale.
Welsh winger Matondo believes the 1-0 victory can be the turning point in a troubled season.
He said: “It pushes us and allows us to believe in every game that we can play like we did in the second half and get a result against any team.
“It’s good for everyone. We are a good team and that was a good result for us.
“The manager got us going. He wasn’t too pleased with certain aspects of our game, but overall we knew that we had to play better in the second half. I feel like we did that in some aspects.
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“Of course, there are going to be times when you have to dig in, especially in Europe and against teams like Betis.
“Overall, I feel we deserved the win.”
Matondo blew an early chance before Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal won it for Rangers.
He added: “Yeah, 100 per cent I should have scored. I snatched at it a bit. On another day it would be a goal.
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“It’s something I will look at again and see what I could have done better at the time.
“I agree I should have had a goal.”
Matondo paid tribute to the Ibrox crowd for roaring their team to victory, less than three weeks after booing them off following their 1-0 defeat to Celtic.
He added: “It was unbelievable. The crowd was on top form to help us get the result we wanted.
“We had to dig in at times, but ultimately we deserved the win, and we played very well in some parts of the game.
“There are things we need to be better at, but overall it was a good performance and we will take the three points.
“It is not just about big European nights. Every game we play at home we need our special crowd.
“I pray they continue to be like that in every home game because they are so important and vital to what we want to do on that pitch.”
Dujon Sterling insists Beale’s men must build on their Euro win, and secure three points on Sunday when they return to Premiership business against Motherwell.
The full-back, a late sub against Betis, said: “I think when you first lose, it is depressing and you are upset.
“But it’s about how you bounce back as a team. We have stayed strong.
“There is noise outside, but it is about what we believe inside and what we do day in, day out to improve ourselves.
“That is what we are doing and hopefully our performances will match the results. Hopefully it sparks us to do well.
“There is no point winning this game and thinking everything is good and then going into Sunday and losing.
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“We are still in for all the trophies this season and that is a positive.”
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