Rangers: Rabbi Matondo must be baffled by Craig Bellamy’s mixed messages with Wales

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Credit: Imago Thu 26 March 2026 14:35, UK Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo must have been left confused by the mixed messages that Wales manager Craig Bellamy is giving him during this international break. Matondo has endured a nightmare season at Rangers so far, with just three appearances made across all competitions.He returned to full training in November after a lengthy layoff due to a serious knee injury, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Hannover 96.Danny Rohl has barely utilised him since then, as he nears the end of his existing Gers contract, but Wales boss Bellamy surprisingly included Matondo in his latest squad as they look to make the 2026 World Cup.Matondo is unlikely to play a part in any Rangers matches between now and the end of the campaign, and is also not set to get a look-in for his country, despite being called up. ⚽ Rangers Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Gers fixture.

VISIT THE RANGERS MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Craig Bellamy has ousted Rabbi Matondo from his matchday squad vs BosniaWales are two games away from qualifying for this summer’s World Cup, and they must first progress past Bosnia before potentially playing either Italy or Northern Ireland next week for a place at the tournament.Bellamy’s side are due to face the Bosnians on home soil on Thursday evening, but despite Matondo being included in the full 26-man squad, he is not set to partake in the crucial playoff match.Appearances70Minutes2706′Goals8Assists11Matondo’s Rangers career statsJournalist Phil Blanche revealed on Thursday morning, via X, that the 25-year-old had been left out of Wales’ 23-man matchday squad list alongside Rubin Colwill and Adam Davies, as per the UEFA website.Matondo must be left wondering why he has even been called up to the squad if he is not set to be given a chance to make an impact in one of Wales’ biggest games in recent years.He will likely have expected to have been ousted from the initial squad anyway, but after being called up and seemingly given a huge reprieve by Bellamy, that joy has now been taken away from him.Of course, he could well be involved in their World Cup decider if they get past Bosnia, but that also seems pretty unlikely if he can’t make this matchday squad.Danny Rohl should be annoyed by Bellamy’s Matondo decisionsSources have told Football Insider that Findlay Curtis is in Rohl’s plans for next season, and it is his emergence that has really pushed Matondo towards an exit over the last 12 months.As well as Matondo being confused and potentially annoyed by Bellamy’s contrasting decisions, Gers boss Rohl should also view him not being able to play against Bosnia in a negative light.Rubin Colwill, Rabbi Matondo and Adam Davies miss out on Wales 23-man matchday squad tonight 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇧🇦 Via @UEFA— Phil Blanche 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@philblanche) March 26, 2026 View Tweet He would likely have initially seen the 25-year-old’s call-up as a positive thing, as it meant he could get away from Rangers to clear his head and potentially even get minutes under his belt to become an option for the latter stages of the campaign.Now that he is not set to be involved, Rohl is sure to be confused, as Matondo would surely have benefitted more from staying at Rangers’ training ground and showing the boss that he has what it takes to play more in the coming months.Speaking in February about Matondo, Rohl said: “I must really say he is a very positive guy for the group, I think this is very crucial. “I think you have players that are disappointed, and they can give not so much energy to the group when they are not playing, but Rabbi is always very professional, his body is now right and let’s see what happens with him.”He has only played once since then, but these two weeks could have been ideal for the pair to form a better bond with players away on international duty.Instead, he has gone away with his country just to train, and will now return to Ibrox in the exact same state as how he left this week.

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