Speculation around Rabbi Matondo’s future at Rangers has been further fuelled by a reflective LinkedIn post from agent, Giovanni Bonifacio of F10 Scout, amid reports that the winger is one of five players the club may be willing to listen to offers for this window.
Matondo, 25, joined Rangers in 2022 on a four-year deal that expires this summer, but due to inconsistent form and repeated injury woes, the Welsh international has never managed to claim a regular spot in the Ibrox lineup.
Having spent the second half of last season out on loan with German side Hannover 96 – Matondo has not played for Rangers since a 1-1 away draw with Dundee last January – and his place on the bench against St Mirren last week was his first inclusion in a matchday squad since a win over St Johnstone the week after the Dens Park result, 12 months ago.
While any suggestion that Matondo has been formally transfer-listed remains unconfirmed at this stage, Bonifacio’s comments have added an intriguing layer to the conversation - framing the former Manchester City wide-man as an “unexploded talent” whose career path has been shaped as much by context as by ability.
“I think that every observer has ‘pupils’ seen young or very young for whom there are few explanations as to why it never really exploded,” Bonifacio wrote.
“Here he is one of mine.”
The scout was keen to stress that his belief in Matondo is not rooted purely in technical skill, but in the winger’s potential impact when trusted within the right environment.
“Not in terms of technical characteristics, but in terms of impact,” he added, comparing Matondo to John Yeboah, now at Venezia, whom Bonifacio believes is flourishing after being placed in a system built to support his strengths.
Bonifacio’s broader critique extended beyond his client, touching on modern recruitment practices across Europe.
“I notice a lot of approximation in the various European leagues,” he said, suggesting that many signings are driven by agents rather than detailed scouting and long-term planning.
“For this reason, relying on a serious and prepared staff would be a turning point.”
It is a point that resonates at Ibrox, where recruitment strategy has been under scrutiny and reshaping in recent months.
Matondo’s Rangers career has been a mixture of flashes and frustration. Bonifacio pointed to the winger’s development pathway - through Manchester City’s academy, productive spells in Belgium, and moments of impact in Glasgow, including a last-minute equaliser against Celtic in a 3-3 draw at Ibrox in 2024 - as evidence that the raw materials remain.
“He also showed his qualities at Rangers,” Bonifacio noted, before stressing the importance of tactical fit.
“However, he must be placed in a context of an offensive team which wants to support him.”
The observer contrasted that with Matondo’s loan spell at Hannover, which he suggested was ill-suited to the winger’s profile.
Looking ahead, Bonifacio floated the idea that Matondo’s skillset may be better aligned with Spanish or French football - even suggesting a developmental season in a second tier, drawing parallels with Luis Javier Suárez’s path prior to his rise with Sporting CP.
Whether Matondo ultimately departs or earns an unlikely renewed role remains to be seen.
What is clear is that, even amid rumours, those closest to the player remain convinced his story is unfinished.
“In my opinion, he is still an unexploded talent,” Bonifacio concluded.
For Rangers, the question now is whether that explosion happens at Ibrox - or elsewhere.