'Come with enough money' - Clement issues transfer update amid confirmed interest in Rangers ace

Philippe Clement has issued an update on the Rangers future of exit-linked Rabbi Matondo after his two-goal performance vs Ross County.

The Belgian told Sky Sports after the 6-0 victory on 24 August that he thinks the Welsh winger will remain at Ibrox past the transfer deadline as things stand, but accepted that could change if a big enough bid arrived.

Matondo has been heavily linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers after John Eustance confirmed the 23-year-old is a player he is looking at [Lancashire Telegraph, 22 August], with a potential move on the cards that would see Lewis Travis come the other way, according to the Scottish Sun on 23 August.

But Clement’s verdict was: “I think he’s gonna stay, yeah. Otherwise somebody needs to come with enough money.

“So that you never know in the last week. But my idea is that he will be here this season.”

Rabbi Matondo could stay at Rangers amid Blackburn interest

Matondo’s pair of strikes in the morale-boosting win at Hampden Park were both a reminder to Clement of his qualities, and an opportunity to strengthen the Light Blues’ negotiating position.

If a suitable bid comes in it would be no shock if the Belgian gave the green light to a sale with the former Schalke wide man rarely a regular starter during his two years at the club.

The dramatic equaliser in stoppage time of the 3-3 draw with Celtic last season showed the quality that he has, and the manager will clearly want to see more of that if no move is secured.

But a record of just eight goals in 64 appearances for the club, while making only 16 Scottish Premiership starts so far, shows it has not been regular enough.

Clement was surely feeling positive about Matondo off the back off a strong win where the winger put in an excellent performance, but he gave a far more non-committal response amid links to Leeds United just over a week ago [Joshua Barrie, 16 August].

The manager would clearly rather shift wantaway Todd Cantwell or the frozen out Ianis Hagi above all, and it goes without saying he will have to make do with what he’s got if exits aren’t forthcoming to make space for signings.

But if he sees the opportunity to sacrifice someone currently in the squad to bring in a new player or two of his own he will very likely take it.

In other Rangers news, a star attacker wanted to sign for the Light Blues before a confirmed new move.

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