Ibrox View: Rangers flop only has himself to blame after tone-deaf 'haters' dig

Rabbi Matondo has insisted he wants to prove his “haters” wrong after his Rangers nightmare – but he would do well to reflect on his own performances first.

Matondo completed a move to Norwegian club SK Brann on Tuesday after being given the green light to walk away from Ibrox several months before his contract was set to run down.

The Wales international had been on the Light Blues’ fringes for several years and played just 65 minutes this season, but until this month, they had been unable to offload him.

He had not turned out for the Gers since February, when he was brought off the bench by Danny Rohl during the 8-0 Scottish Cup thumping of Queen’s Park.

Matondo hopes his move away from Rangers will signal the start of a much-needed new chapter, but his comments rallying against his doubters were surprisingly tone-deaf.

What did Rabbi Matondo say about his “haters”?

Shortly after his official Brann unveiling, the 25-year-old was questioned on the negative social media comments about his stint at Rangers. Clearly, he has a bone to pick.

“I want to show the haters and the world that there is still a player in me,” said Matondo. “As long as I stay injury-free, I know I can show it.

“It will be exciting to see the messages then if they come.

“I don’t really follow it. People send me different things. Some things I laugh at. It’s okay. That’s football. We’ve all been there.

“People make up their own minds about specific things or players.”

While his fighting spirit and desire to get his career back on track are commendable, Matondo completely glossed over the fact that he wasn’t good enough for the Gers.

Of course, many barbs online went too far, as they usually do, but he did not make the most of his opportunities, either in matches or training, to win back Rohl’s trust.

Injuries were a frustrating undercurrent of Matondo’s stay in Glasgow, but his performances when he was fit were too often wayward, allowing his team-mates to jump ahead of him.

After joining in 2022, Matondo scored just eight Scottish Premiership goals. Indeed, the Sofascore graphic below perfectly highlights his sustained underperformance.

Rohl will wish him well in his next chapter, but he was right not to play him more.

Rangers get the last laugh

Speaking on Rangers Review’s YouTube channel, journalist Chris Jack revealed that the Gers will save around £200,000 on Matondo’s wages – a significant financial boost.

They did, however, include a sell-on clause, entitling them to a portion of the transfer fee should the ace impress in Norway and bag himself another transfer in the future.

Ultimately, everyone came out a winner. Rangers were able to ship out an unwanted player, Matondo finally secured his move, and Brann landed a new signing without paying a penny.

Now, the forward should put his focus on the future rather than looking back wistfully.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.