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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Blair Meikle

Rabbi Matondo Rangers absence explained after Club Brugge no-show

Rabbi Matondo is being kept out of the start of Rangers' pre-season due to an injury.

The winger is back at the Ibrox club after spending time out on loan at Hannover 96 in Germany's second tier last season.

However, he was conspicuous by his absence for the friendly against Club Brugge yesterday, a 2-2 draw after the Belgians opened up a two goal lead in the first half but Gers came back through Mohamed Diomande and Findlay Curtis.

Matondo's absence left fans wondering but Rangers Review has now confirmed he had surgery on a knee problem during the break and is expected back in August.

The Welsh winger, 24, has had consistent injury troubles during his time at Ibrox  and missed four months of the 2024/25 campaign due to a hamstring issue.



Another player missing from the squad against Brugge was defender Clinton Nsiala and manager Russell Martin has confirmed he is likely to go out on loan.

He said: "Clinton... we signed Emmanuel, and I think Clinton's at a point in his at his age and his career, he needs to play all the time and every week.

"He's trained really, really well. But I think it's, rather playing some part of the squad, a bit like last season, he's at a point now where he needs to go and play football and he's the best way to learn.

"We've had a really good conversation, honest conversation. And he's trained really well. I think it was an area we wanted to strengthen [centre-back] anyway and we will continue to strengthen.

"So, to let [Clinton] know the situation really early is probably the best for him to find the best opportunity to play football."

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