Glasgow Rangers have appointed Mick Beale as their 18th permanent manager and he will lead the Ibrox club into a new era.

The Light Blues are currently nine points adrift of Celtic in the Premiership title race and while this gap looks unsurmountable, Ange Postecoglou’s side found themselves six points back last season and still won the title, so it is possible.

Beale’s main aim, especially during the opening few matches before the January transfer window opens, is to get the best from the players he has in front of him.

Rabbi Matondo was a player that didn’t get much of a chance under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the 42-year-old could certainly rejuvenate him and make use of his talents, especially his impressive turn of pace.

The 22-year-old made just six league starts under the Dutchman and although he registered three assists and created three big chances, Matondo often lacked the killer instinct and as time went on, appeared to lose confidence.

The £28k-per-week speedster has been praised for his acceleration previously, with former Wales manager Ryan Giggs dubbing him “electrifying” while even Pep Guardiola had good things to say about the winger, stating that he was “incredibly fast” which provides a key insight to the attacking threat he can possess.

Van Bronckhorst’s negative style of play didn’t allow for the wingers to fully express themselves and this was a key failing in the way he set up his team during matches. Beale on the other hand plays with much more attacking impetus placed on the two wingers and this could only benefit the Welshman.

Last season, Matondo scored nine goals and grabbed two assists in the Belgian top flight and when full of confidence, the youngster can also provide a goalscoring threat from a wide position.

If the new manager can get him back to the form he showed last year while out on loan at Cercle Brugge, then he could totally transform the team and this might be crucial heading into the second half of the season.