One player in Philippe Clement’s squad chose an excellent moment to give the Glasgow giants his best performance, and Rangers are hoping to add more players before the transfer window closes. On Saturday, Rabbi Matondo and a “unbelievable” Cyriel Dessers destroyed Ross County.
The Welsh international had only scored six goals in 54 Rangers appearances before Don Cowie’s side came to town. In the space of less than half an hour, Matondo took his tally from six to eight. A pair of close-range tap-ins feeling like a ‘penny’s dropped’ sort of moment for a footballer who’s awareness in the penalty area had previously left a lot to be desired. Just last week, the mercurial Matondo looked likely to leave with Blackburn Rovers confirming their interest.
Now, with Philippe Clement insisting after that sparkling Ross County display that the jet-heeled 23-year-old is still part of his plans, the chances of Matondo following Todd Cantwell to Ewood Park suddenly look slim.
Rangers eye Norwich City winger Abu Kamara
But is one thrilling display against a poor Staggies side enough to suggest that Matondo can be relied upon for the entire campaign?
Is it enough to suggest that Matondo can be trusted to become Rangers’ first-choice left-winger, while putting up the sort of numbers Abdallah Sima produced during his loan spell from Brighton and Hove Albion? That is one of many difficult decisions Rangers may have to make in the final few days of the window. Per Football Scotland, Abu Kamara is of interest to the Glasgow giants. And any move north of the border would put the Norwich City academy graduate in direct competition with Matondo on the flank. Personal terms, the reports adds, will not be an issue. Furthermore, with just one year left on Kamara’s contract, Norwich could reportedly be forced to consider bids in the region of just £2 million.
And, after he was left out of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, Kamara was conspicuous by his absence once again as The Canaries had their wings clipped by a free-scoring Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in midweek. “I know there is interest, more or less from the beginning of the window,” Norwich coach Johannes Hoff Thorup says at his post-match press conference, broadcast by the Pink ‘Un on YouTube, when asked about Kamara’s continued omission.
But, like I said, it requires a good offer (to sign him). An offer we can accept and that we think is fair towards his value to the team and, of course, his transfer value. “We have to wait and see. There is interest. For now, he is not ready to play with the team. He’s training every day with us.
But, with all this happening to him, we just leave this distraction at home.”
Philippe Clement wants further signings this month
Kamara, like Cantwell, recently handed in a transfer request. The former England youth ace produced his best football during a loan spell at Portsmouth in 2023/24. Cutting in from the left-hand side, Kamara scored 11 goals and set up ten more as Pompey won the League One title. “Abs’ form recently has been outstanding,” Portsmouth assistant manager Jon Harley told The News during the final few weeks of last season. “He’s such a great lad, he wants to learn and is really humble.
The way we play, we want to try to isolate him one-v-one because, as a full-back myself, I would hate to play against him. I am sure every full-back would do in that position. ‘He can go outside, he can come inside, and he has an end product now, which, credit to him, is something he’s really been working on. (His ruthlessness) has really improved as the season has progressed. “Abu has been excellent and outstanding for us.”
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