'I WAS DISAPPOINTED'
Rabbi Matondo leaps to defence of Rangers fans live on-air after Premier League legend criticises Ibrox support
The fans made the team 'apprehensive', he said
RANGERS star Rabbi Matondo was forced to leap to the defence of the club's fans after they were criticised for their negativity during Sunday's Old Firm clash.
Welsh winger Matondo was the hero for the Ibrox side, scoring a stunning equaliser as the clock ticked down to guarantee Gers a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
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Ex-England international Paul Ince revealed he was less than impressed with the Gers support and their actions after Celtic scored the opener at the weekend.
The former Manchester United, West Ham and Wolves midfielder said he was disappointed that they were so quick to boo and felt the team as a result looked "apprehensive".
Ince was appearing on Talksport and Matondo was on the radio station alongside him to discuss the derby clash.
Former Reading boss Ince said: "What I would say is I was disappointed with the Rangers fans.
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"I know Celtic scored early doors, but there were no Celtic fans there, it was a massive game. I felt you looked apprehensive because of the crowd, they were booing at half-time.
"I wasn't best pleased with that personally.
"I know that when Celtic fans are there, there's more of an atmosphere, but it looked like there was more pressure because it was all Rangers fans, and it looked like you struggled as a team in the first half because of it.
"As soon as you got the first goal, it ignited; my son Thomas went and said as soon as that goal went in, it was a different atmosphere."
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But Matondo insists the fans were just nervous about the game and naturally fearful after going 1-0 down so early.
Matondo described Daizen Maeda's opener as a "freak start" and then said that after James Tavernier had scored from the penalty spot, the fans were back onside.
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He responded: "They were nervous for the game. Ultimately, they tried to support us, but it's such a big game to them.
"I guess it was just a bit of tension.
"It was a freak start in a way, no one expected that. It was wild, so they were probably on the back foot.
"You know what football fans are like, they try and support you all the way, but with the stakes as high as they were, they reacted the way they did. Credit to Tav getting us back into the game, that helped!"
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