
Forgotten Rangers player could be on his way back to Ibrox
However, sports director, Marcus Mann, all but confirmed Matondo won't be part of their plans for next season last month, having made just two starts in Bundesliga 2 since joining.
And he could be on his way back to Glasgow earlier than planned after picking up a knee injury.
Read more:
Hannover boss Lars Barlemann explained: "Rabbi took a knock on his knee recently and still has problems.
"He has to go for a scan to see the extent of the injury and then we will see if he can play a part for the rest of the season or not."
Matondo cost Rangers £3 million when he signed for them three years ago and still has a year to run on his contract.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
a few seconds ago
- The Guardian
Sweden's Zigiotti Olme is Manchester United's first signing of the summer
Manchester United have completed their first signing of this summer's Women's Super League transfer window, bolstering their midfield with the addition of the Sweden international Julia Zigiotti Olme from the German champions Bayern Munich. The defensive midfielder was one of Sweden's top performers at Euro 2025, starting three of four matches, including their quarter-final against England, where she was one of only two of Sweden's seven takers to successfully convert her penalty in the dramatic shootout. She was targeted by Manchester United because of her work rate in midfield, her positioning and experience of winning trophies, including helping Bayern Munich to a league and cup double last season. The 27-year-old spent one season with the Frauen Bundesliga side after playing for Brighton for two campaigns in England. She is also a former title-winner in Sweden with Häcken. Her arrival will give Marc Skinner's team additional options in central midfield and, with Zigiotti Olme predominantly playing as a deeper lying, defensive midfielder, could allow Dominique Janssen to be deployed as a central defender instead. Janssen demonstrated the versatility to play in either defence or midfield last season. It could also give the side more tactical options for different formations and will undoubtedly boost their strength in depth to compete in the Women's Champions League as well as domestically. Discussing the arrival of Zigiotti Olme, who has signed a two-year contract, with the option of a further year, Matt Johnson, Manchester United's director of women's football, told the club's media channels: 'Julia is one of Europe's best defensive midfielders who brings a winning mentality and experience of competing in the top competitions. 'On the pitch she has an insatiable work rate, ability to win possession back for her team and creative passing range. This is a player the fans will enjoy watching this season.' While she is the club's first summer acquisition, she is unlikely to be the last. It is understood the club could also be seeking to sign a forward, following Geyse's loan move to Gotham FC in March for the remainder of the NWSL season, as well as being expected to be in the market for a right-sided defender, following Aoife Mannion's summer move to WSL 2 side Newcastle United. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion New contracts have already been agreed with the goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, the central defender Millie Turner and veteran striker Rachel Williams, but it would not be a surprise to see the club sign another goalscorer before their Champions League qualifying campaign gets under way against PSV Eindhoven on 27 August.


The Guardian
a few seconds ago
- The Guardian
A good start for Rangers before the wet and windy nights of Fitba set in
When the white smoke billowed from the Ibrox chimney in June and Russell Martin was revealed as the new manager of Rangers, vast swathes of the club's fans could scarcely have been more unenthusiastic. Indeed, short of announcing that Pope Leo XV had left his new role at the Vatican and would be taking over after Barry Ferguson's lengthy spell in caretaker charge, it is difficult to imagine any other appointment prompting more fury. 'We're not oblivious to the noise at all,' harrumphed the Rangers CEO, Patrick Stewart, upon being quizzed about fan reaction to his announcement. 'But I think we are confident because we've embarked on such a thorough process to take us to this point where we've appointed Russell that we're confident supporters will get behind him.' Having paddled into Ibrox on such a tidal wave of antipathy, it seemed imperative that Martin got off to a good start and the man who masterminded just one win in Southampton's opening 16 Premier League games last season before being booted towards the Saints door marked 'Do one!' has done exactly that. In closing out their aggregate win in a Bigger Cup second qualifying round against Panathinaikos, Russell's Rangers have successfully negotiated the first hurdle of the season and now face Czech side Viktoria Plzen as they aim to reach the Bigger Cup league phase. But at the very least, last night's draw in Greece means a place in Euro Vase is now guaranteed. 'I've just said to the players in the dressing room, I'm so proud of them,' said Martin, after new signing Djeidi Gassama struck back to restore parity after Panathinaikos had opened the scoring. 'To be five weeks into the process, from where they were to where they are is incredible.' With European football now guaranteed until January and the possibility of Bigger Cup group stage participation still very much alive, Martin has presumably bought himself some time from his many vocal detractors among the Rangers fanbase but now is no time for complacency. With the fitba league season due to start this weekend and his players fresh from walking their hand luggage out from the back of their plane from Athens, they will have to prove they can do it on wet and windy nights (or as they are known in Scotland: 'nights' ) in places like Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Paisley if they are to mount any sort of meaningful title challenge against Celtic. It was at exactly such places that Rangers came a cropper last season, leading to the 17-point chasm that separated the two Glasgow clubs at the end of the campaign. While Martin may have earned some grudging goodwill from the Ibrox faithful for his early efforts thus far, expect it to evaporate if his new-look side fail to win Saturday's league opener at Motherwell and hand the advantage, if not the title to Celtic before Brendan Rodgers' side have even played a game. 'Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations. I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face. To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me – thank you for everything' – Lucas Paquetá has been cleared of spot-fixing. The West Ham midfielder was charged by the FA last year with four counts of deliberately getting himself booked to influence betting markets so that friends and family members might benefit and faced a lengthy ban if found guilty. I was going to be stereotypically Smoggie about Granit Xhaka moving to Sunderland (yesterday's Football Daily letters), a city so urbane and sophisticated that the National Glass Centre closed down a year or two back, but considering the problems Newcastle seem to be having attracting players to the region, I feel I should thank Mr Xhaka for moving to the north east. The region is beautiful, with a ruggedly handsome coastline and pretty villages that would make those more famous ones down south look like the back end of Reading. I hope, off the back of this signing, we see more players moving to God's Own Former Mining Country. Sancho and Grealish to Middlesbrough next, please' – (Not that) Andrew Tate. I was interested to read Jim Hearson, regarding the blind trust set up by Evangelos Marinakis (yesterday's letters). Is that the same blind trust that Granit Xhaka is displaying by being convinced to sign for Sunderland?' – Paul Taverner. As an exiled Exile, living far from Newport (and the UK), it was nice to see a rare mention of County in yesterday's Football Daily (full email edition). Even nicer to see the picture of the second kit. While not remotely amusing, there is a very interesting story about why this kit looks like Athletic Club's kit, and indeed why it's flying off the shelves in (parts of) the Basque Country' – Dave Lloyd. If you have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Dave Lloyd. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. On Thursday 11 September, join Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning and a host of your other Football Weekly favourites live on stage for an evening of unfiltered football punditry at Troxy in London and livestreamed globally. Book now. The latest episode of Football Weekly is OUT, OUT, OUT! Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Sanny Rudravajhala and George Elek to preview the return of league football this weekend. Thursday's column is on Boston and Denver's journey to the NWSL – a path that includes building their teams from scratch and a botched brand launch. Manchester United have won two pre-season friendlies matches in a row and the Ruben Amorim revolution might finally be set for take-off. No wonder the prolific striker Rasmus Højlund wants to be part of it. The Danish international scored in a 4-1 shooing of Bournemouth, allowing him and his teammates to brim with the sort of confidence that only comes from defeating a Premier League rival, in USA USA USA, in July. You might think that his record of four goals in 32 Premier League appearances last season would count against him, but Højlund is not worried that Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins are scratching at the front door. 'I think the most important (thing) for me is just to keep working hard and stay focused and then obviously we'll see what happens,' Højlund chirped. 'I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.' What did actually happen, almost immediately after Højlund spoke, was Ruben Amorim giving an interview, with the United manager seemingly open to selling the striker. 'I'm really happy with Rasmus,' Amorim offered up, somewhat misleadingly, 'but I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market. We suffered a lot because of the lack of goals last season.' Ah. Dark days at Morecambe where they have ceased all football operations amid a financial crisis. Prospective buyers have told the owner Jason Whittingham to sell up before things get any worse. Alexander Isak would like to go through the St James' Park exit door and to further make the point he has gone off to train at former club Real Sociedad. The Swedish striker is doing his stretching and jogging in San Sebastián, which isn't a bad place to do your sulking. Everton have transferred the ownership from Goodison Park to their women's team, who will play their home games there from the start of the season. In the world of plenty of money, Chelsea have agreed a £35.5m fee with Ajax to sign the teenage defender Jorrel Hato. Tottenham are chatting with Bayern Munich about the prospect of bringing João Palhinha back to England on loan. The former Fulham midfielder failed to pull up any trees in the Bundesliga after his £47.4m move a year ago and may welcome a return to London. Will Unwin has you sorted with a League One preview as Stockport look to soar while Port Vale hope to stave off drop. Every football fan gets excited about a new signing and believes they will change their club's fortunes for the better, even if they have never heard of them, writes Max Rushden. Speed tests, data, psychologists and superfoods: Ben Fisher lifts the curtain on the evolution of referees and how officials are put through their paces on the Costa Blanca. Dominic Booth has a natter with John Rooney about stepping out of Robbie Savage and brother Wayne's shadow after becoming the new Macclesfield head coach. Which two Premier League clubs have shared the most players? Matt Furniss at Opta crunches the numbers. And the Rumour Mill continues to spin. Will Aston Villa make a move for Porto's Samu Aghehowa? With European club football back up and running, here's a holiday snap-style shot of Paul Ince and Lee Sharpe down by the Bosphorus in Istanbul before their Big Cup tie with Galatasaray in November 1993. Looks a much nicer time than it was inside the 'Hell' of the Ali Sami Yen.


BBC News
a few seconds ago
- BBC News
Send your pictures and stories of why you love United
On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Manchester United and some of your favourite moments supporting have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Steve:"United isn't just a club in my family - it's practically a family member. My grandad started supporting after the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, moved by the courage of a club that had lost so much. Just three months later, a patched-up United team made it all the way to the FA Cup final and that spirit of resilience sealed his loyalty for life."My mum grew up in a City household but jumped ship thanks to Best, Law and Charlton - and casually bumping into Sir Bobby Charlton in Lymm like it was a normal Tuesday."My first game? February 1995, an FA Cup tie against Leeds. I was desperate for a Kanchelskis number 14 shirt, but back then you paid per letter, so I settled for a scarf instead. We won 3-1 but I vividly remember Tony Yeboah scoring their consolation and the Leeds fans chanting his name like he'd just won the cup. I could barely see the pitch but I was hooked."Top memory though? The 1999 Champions League final. I was hosting a German exchange student, Andreas - a diehard Bayern Munich fan. He'd spent the day sightseeing in London and returned at half-time with Bayern 1–0 up and a smug grin plastered across his face. I couldn't cope with the gloating so I stormed off upstairs and listened to the second half on Radio 5 Live, sulking in the dark."With time running out, I decided to go back downstairs - if only to show a bit of grace in defeat. Just as I re-entered the room, Sheringham equalised. A stunned silence. Before we could even breathe, Solskjaer scored the winner. I leapt into the air. Andreas sank into the sofa. My living room exploded."I did visit him in Germany later that year. The welcome? Let's just say it wasn't quite as warm as that May night in England."Join in the conversation and send your best photos about why you love first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?Send us your pictures and stories