£2m Rangers target left out of squad again as manager admits ‘interest’ in wantaway ace
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 market shuts. On Saturday, Rabbi Matondo and a “unbelievable” Cyriel Dessers destroyed Ross County. Prior to Don Cowie’s team visiting town, the Welsh international had only netted six goals in 54 Rangers games. Matondo increased his total to eight in less than thirty minutes. Two close-range tap-in goals felt like a “penny’s dropped” kind of moment for a player whose awareness in the penalty area had been lacking in the past. The mercurial Matondo appeared likely to depart with Blackburn Rovers as recently as last week.
The likelihood of Matondo following Todd Cantwell to Ewood Park appears to be decreasing, as Philippe Clement has stated that the jet-heeled 23-year-old is still a part of his plans following his impressive Ross County performance.
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 sufficient to imply that Matondo can be relied upon to replace Abdallah Sima as Rangers’ starting left winger and to achieve the kind of results he did when on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion? The Rangers may have to make a lot of tough choices in the last few days of the window, that being one of them. The Glasgow giants are interested in Abu Kamara, according to Football Scotland. Furthermore, the Norwich City academy graduate would face off against Matondo on the flank in any move north of the border. According to the claims, personal terms won’t be a problem. Furthermore, Norwich might have to take offers for as little as £2 million because Kamara’s contract only has a year left on it.
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.
We aim to isolate him one-on-one in our style of play because, as a full-back myself, I would hate to face him. Any full-back would be effective in that role, I’m sure. “To his credit, he’s been working really hard on it, and now he can go outside, come inside, and have a finished product.” As the season has gone on, (His ruthlessness) has truly increased. “Abu has been really good and exceptional for us.”
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