As Rangers fans, we’ve been through our fair share of highs and lows, and this season is proving no different. The announcement of our Europa League squad raised eyebrows yesterday, especially with the glaring absences of Rabbi Matondo and Danilo, two players who have made contributions this season. Here’s what we know so far and what it could mean for our campaign.
Rabbi Matondo’s exclusion from the Europa League squad
Rabbi Matondo’s exclusion from the Europa League squad raised alarm bells. The winger limped off in the first half of our match against Celtic, clutching his hamstring. At the time, it didn’t seem too serious—he tried to push on for a bit before ultimately admitting defeat and coming off for young Ross McCausland. Now, however, things seem much worse than initially feared.
Rumours are swirling that Matondo could be out for anywhere between two to three months, a blow that stings, especially given how light we are in that area of the pitch this season. His pace and direct style can be an effective weapon in Europe when there is a little bit more space in behind the other teams, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt, particularly with the intense schedule coming up.
This injury comes at a crucial time as we look to navigate the group stages of the Europa League. By leaving him out of the squad, it seems the club is preparing for the worst—that we won’t be seeing Matondo in action again until the new year. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially given the attacking options already stretched thin by injuries.
Danilo’s Long Road to Recovery gets Unwanted Extension
As if Matondo’s news wasn’t bad enough, Danilo also finds himself sidelined. We all saw that photo posted by a fan, with Danilo in a leg brace at Glasgow Airport, and soon after, the club confirmed that the forward underwent a “tidy-up” procedure on his knee. While the surgery was successful, it does mean he’ll be out for at least four weeks.
Though he wasn’t in the Europa League squad either, there is a small silver lining here. If all goes well, Danilo could potentially feature domestically as he regains fitness. However, we all know that recovery isn’t just about the time off the pitch—it’s also about getting back up to match fitness. With the squad already reduced to 21 due to homegrown player regulations, Danilo’s absence is yet another blow to our already depleted attack.
The Bigger Picture with Rangers Injuries
Injuries are part and parcel of football, but when they hit key players like Matondo and Danilo, it can feel like a mountain to climb. And Rangers have had more than their fair share in recent times. As we head into some crucial Europa League fixtures, Philippe Clement has tough decisions to make. We’ve got depth, but with our squad size already reduced, we need players to step up.
The pressure will undoubtedly fall on the likes of McCausland, who has already shown glimpses of promise. But relying on youth is always a gamble, and while we’re optimistic, we have to be realistic about the challenges ahead. It’s going to take a monumental effort to keep things ticking over in Matondo and Danilo’s absence.
What Now for Rangers?
As Rangers fans, we’ve seen our squad rise above adversity before, and we can only hope the same happens here. The next few weeks are going to be crucial, both in terms of domestic form and our European journey. We’ll need to lean on our squad depth and hope that players like Cyriel Dessers, Cortes and Nedim Bajrami can stay fit and find form we need.
But most importantly, we’ll need to rally together as fans, supporting the squad through this rough patch. Matondo and Danilo may be down, but Rangers are far from out. Let’s back the team, and who knows, we might just come out the other side stronger.
What do you think? Will Rangers be able to cope without Matondo and Danilo, or do we need to worry about our attacking options in the upcoming fixtures? Share your thoughts below, and as always, follow Ibrox Insider for all the latest news from the blue half of Glasgow!