By Alan Hutton

30th Sep, 2023 | 8:00am

Hutton makes 'big' Rangers claim as Matondo footage emerges - expert

Rabbi Matondo is lucky his big miss for Rangers didn’t cost the win against Real Betis.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Gers defender Alan Hutton suggested Matondo should have slotted home his opening chance which would have eased the pressure on the side.

As shown on TNT Sports ( 22 September), Matondo outran the Betis defenders and attempted a shot on goal that was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.

Ben Davies’ second half goal was the only thing to separate the sides at full time and the Gers claimed all three points from their opening Europa League game.

Hutton insisted that Rangers were the deserved winners, despite the narrow scoreline.

“In European competitions it is always going to be difficult,” he told Football Insider.

“Betis finished sixth in the league last year so they are obviously a strong opponent.

“I think it could have been a different game if Matondo had scored with his early chance. He could have eased the pressure a little bit.

“It is clearly taking the players a while to settle in to games, particularly in the Betis game.

“The main thing is that Rangers won the game, they took all three points and that was the big thing for them.“

The Gers have a trip to face Aris Limassol for matchday two of their Europa League group next week (5 October) followed by another away match against Sparta Prague later on in the month.

In other news, Kieran Maguire drops £34m Rangers reveal after big Celtic development.