RANGERS winger Rabbi Matondo has revealed that he scored his stunning injury-time equaliser against Celtic at Ibrox yesterday after being urged to emulate a Kevin de Bruyne strike for Manchester City by his manager Philippe Clement.
The Welsh internationalist curled a long-range strike beyond Joe Hart and into the top right corner in the third minute of added-on time to ensure that his side drew 3-3 with their Glasgow rivals in the cinch Premiership match.
It was a hugely important strike as it keeps the Govan club, who have a game in hand to play against Dundee at Dens Park on Wednesday night, a point behind the defending champions in the league table.
Matondo, who had netted an identical goal in the 3-1 win over Hibernian at Ibrox eight days earlier, admitted that he had been challenged by Clement to try to match one of De Bruyne’s goals in City’s 4-2 triumph over Crystal Palace on Saturday before kick-off.
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“I ran over to him after I scored because before the game we were speaking and he asked me if I saw Kevin De Bruyne’s goal yesterday,” he said.
“We work a lot in training and he works a lot with me on cutting in and getting shots off and keeping it low in the corners.
“So, I said to him, ‘Yeah, I did see Kevin De Bruyne’s goal’. But it wasn’t quite low in the corner the way he wants me to do it.
“So, he said, ‘You will get there maybe one day’. And I said, ‘I’ll show you today!’ And yeah, I think I showed it quite well! So, I ran over to him to embrace him, and it was nice.
“Do you know what? I can’t really remember it right now, it’s all a blur. It happened so quick. I just thought to take my man on and just get a shot off, and thankfully it’s flown into the top corner.”
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Asked if it was the biggest goal of his career, Clement said: “One hundred per cent, especially in a game like this.
“We know how much it means to everyone involved with Rangers, so to get a goal like that and to help the team get something from the game was obviously a moment I’ll keep forever.”
Matondo admitted that Clement’s half-time team talk had made the difference for Rangers – and predicted the Ibrox club would take great confidence from the fightback and result.
"It was positive because the way the game started,” he said. “It wasn't ideal at all. The first half was kind of sticky, but we came in at half time and the gaffer gave us his message.
“He even said that he didn't recognise the team he's been working with for the last five months and obviously the boys took that to heart and it showed.
"He just said we need to find the courage and mentality, get playing and be confident, not be afraid. I feel like we did that in the second half, his message helped.
Matondo added: “Tav (Rangers captain James Tavernier) steps up to take a penalty like that and it's unbelievable, because he's obviously missed his last two.
“To step up like that and the way the game started, for him to hit it in the top corner like that takes some courage. Fair play to him and the boys kicked on from there. We improved in the second half.
“It showed mental strength from everyone. The first half wasn't the best from us and we showed in the second half what team that we are.”
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