Two young players deserve patience: Matondo needs luck and guidance to rebuild after injuries, while De Roeve already looks like a composed, intelligent prospect who rarely gets dragged out of position.
Rabbi Matondo — unlucky, not finished
To be fair, you can see why people get frustrated with Matondo. Expectations were high when he arrived, and injuries have robbed him of rhythm more than once. The truth is he’s still young enough to turn things around. He’s had an unfortunate run at Ibrox, but bad luck and timing have a habit of skewing judgement.
It’s worth remembering the club put the contract in front of him under the previous regime, so the spiteful language aimed at a young player who accepted that offer feels over the top. He’s got natural ability. With the right coaching and a bit of good fortune on the fitness front, there’s no reason he can’t find a platform to show what he can do.
If he’s able to perform in Norway’s top flight or similar leagues, that would be a sensible benchmark for his level. It’s not about making excuses — it’s about recognising context and giving a player the space to rebuild confidence and consistency.
Denzel De Roeve — calm head, bright future
De Roeve feels different. From what’s been seen, he’s composed beyond his years and takes training seriously. That attitude shows on the pitch; he rarely gets caught out of position and doesn’t go charging up the flank without reason.
He isn’t the type who only offers high-energy overlaps. He reads the game, times his runs and covers spaces intelligently. Those are the sort of traits managers like to trust — maturity, decision-making, and consistency in training and matches.
What it means for supporters
Fans want instant results, but we should temper that with a bit of perspective. Matondo deserves the chance to get fit and rebuild; De Roeve deserves backing as he develops. Chanting someone down or piling on social media does nobody any favours.
Support, patience and honest critique — that’s the balance. If both lads get the right guidance, there’s reason to be quietly hopeful about what they can offer going forward.
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