Rangers flop trains with Scottish Premiership rival six months after Ibrox exit as he searches for club
Winger was made a free agent in August
Former Rangers wide man Rabbi Matondo is training with Premiership rivals Hibs as he searches for a new club.
The 26-year old left Ibrox for Norwegian side SK Brann in March after failing to make his mark during his four years at the club. He also struggled for game time in the Eliteserien and was released by the club in August. Now a free agent, the Welshman is on the hunt for a new club and is training with the Hibees in the meantime. Reports suggest he’s angling for a permanent deal.
The Edinburgh side are currently training in La Manga, Spain during the international break, as the squad get acquainted with new Dutch boss Marink Reedijk - who was appointed last week following the dismissal of David Gray.
Free agent Matondo trains with Hibs
According to the Daily Record: “Former Rangers wideman Rabbi Matondo has joined Hibs on their training camp in La Manga. New Easter Road boss Marink Reedijk will assess the players he's inherited from David Gray in the Spanish sun after being appointed as his successor on Thursday. He met them for the first time before jetting out from Edinburgh Airport this morning. Record Sport understands Matondo has also travelled as he looks to win a deal with the capital club.”
Matondo made just 70 appearances in his four year at Ibrox and despite enjoying some memorable moments including scoring a late equaliser against Celtic and in a Champions League qualifier against PSV, he largely struggled for minutes and was more often than not, deployed from the bench. By signing for Brann, he hoped to turn over a new leaf, but endured similar struggles across the North Sea as notched three league appearances in five months.
Why did Matondo leave Rangers?
After leaving Ibrox from the Brann Stadion in March, the winger claimed that he had a point to prove. After the move, he said: "I want to show the haters and the world that there is still a player in me. 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. But I'm really happy to be here. It's been a tough season for me with injuries and little playing time. When a team like Brann wants to sign me, it's an interesting offer to look at.
"The more I talked to people at the club, and especially the manager, the more confident I was You can look at it as a new start. I hope I can stay healthy and show people what I can do on the pitch. I hope to give my all to the club. I'm looking forward to playing in front of the fans and showing them something they should really be excited about."
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