Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership table ahead of Celtic on Saturday afternoon at Ibrox with a 3-1 win over Hibernian – and Fabio Silva was full of praise for one of his teammates.
With Celtic playing on Sunday and a point ahead but having played an extra game, Rangers needed a win to keep the pressure on Brendan Rodgers’ side. Philippe Clement made two changes to his Rangers side.
In came Todd Cantwell and Borna Barisic, for Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz. In an eventful match, James Tavernier was looking for his 131st senior goal – to become the UK’s highest-scoring defender ever.
He had the perfect chance to do score, but Andy Marshall saved his spot kick. The rebound was put in by Scott Wright, only for the goal to be disallowed. But Tavernier would not be denieed for much longer.
Fabio Silva makes big comparison to Rangers star after 3-1 win
He lashed a volley into the back of the net inside 30 minutes, overtaking Graham Alexander’s record of 130 goals. Hibernian ripped up the script though, Myziane Maolida equalising just before the break.
However, Rangers were not done before the half-time whistle. A moment of magic from Todd Cantwell saw him supply a perfect cross for Nigeria striker Cyriel Dessers to score. A well-worked Rangers goal.
But, the best goal of the match came from Wales man Rabbi Matondo. Coming on to the pitch on 79 minutes in place of on-loan Wolves man Silva, he curled a gorgeous goal into the far corner to win 3-1.
A win that sees Rangers go top of the League at least until tomorrow, until Celtic take on Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Stadium. Matondo took to Instagram after the match, after his super strike for Rangers.
Rabbi Matondo struggling to make his mark at Rangers
Joining the club in 2022, Matondo was seen as a player with huge potential having come through at Man City and gone to Germany to play for Schalke. But he is yet to turn that potential into proven quality.
At Rangers, he has struggled too. Just his fourth goal for the club in almost two years, in what was his 53rd appearance. Matondo has a contract worth £23,000 a week, that lasts until the summer of 2026.
But you would not be surprised that if a club becomes interested in the summer – he could leave. Maybe, a loan exit to an English Championship club, for example. A player that shocked many when joining.
Perhaps, his goal on Saturday could be a turning point for Matondo – and not only kickstart his Rangers career, but his entire career. Silva was impressed, comparing Matondo to Arjen Robben after his goal.
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