Why Bojan Miovski Must Follow Rabbi Matondo’s Lead and Leave Rangers

Rangers have endured a difficult period in recent years, with a succession of managers struggling to bring consistent success to Ibrox. Despite significant investment in the squad, the Light Blues have gone five years without winning the Scottish Premiership title and are approaching two years without a trophy.

A major factor behind those struggles has been recruitment, with numerous signings failing to establish themselves under managers including Philippe Clement, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and Danny Rohl.

Rabbi Matondo was one such player who struggled to make a lasting impact at Rangers. The Welsh winger left the club on a free transfer earlier this year before signing for Hibernian, having previously spent time on loan at Hannover.

Now, another Rangers player appears to be facing a similar situation under Derek McInnes, with Bojan Miovski struggling to secure regular first-team opportunities.

The Macedonia international has found himself on the fringes of the squad this season, and his lack of playing time raises questions about his long-term future at Ibrox.

With the January transfer window approaching, Miovski may need to consider following Matondo’s example and seeking a move elsewhere to revive his career.

How Rabbi Matondo’s Rangers career unravelled

Matondo arrived at Ibrox from Schalke in the summer of 2022 with plenty of promise, but his early performances failed to live up to expectations.

The winger finished his first campaign without scoring in 28 appearances across all competitions, although he showed signs of improvement during his second season.

In 31 appearances, Matondo registered six goals and three assists, including a memorable curling finish from distance during Rangers’ dramatic 3-3 draw with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

However, injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress, with the Wales international missing 23 matches during that second campaign.

His situation deteriorated further during the first half of the 2024/25 season, when he frequently found himself either an unused substitute or outside the matchday squad altogether.

Matondo was eventually sent on loan to Hannover in January 2025, having played just 69 minutes across Rangers’ final eight league matches before his departure.

His eventual exit demonstrated how quickly a player can fall out of favour at Ibrox when opportunities become limited. Although Matondo had shown glimpses of his ability, he was unable to establish himself as a dependable first-team option.

Bojan Miovski is facing a similar Rangers predicament

Miovski now appears to be encountering comparable difficulties under McInnes.

The striker joined Rangers from Girona for an initial £2.6 million and contributed 13 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season.

Despite that return, the Macedonia international has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter during the 2026/27 campaign.

Miovski was an unused substitute in Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Dundee, despite McInnes’ side searching for a winning goal during the closing stages.

His situation has become increasingly concerning, with the forward yet to start a match in any competition this season.

Across Rangers’ opening nine Premiership fixtures, Miovski has accumulated just 24 minutes of playing time, making three substitute appearances.

He has also been left out of the matchday squad on several occasions, further underlining his current position within the squad.

The striker’s limited involvement is particularly surprising given that he has already demonstrated his ability to contribute at Scottish Premiership level.

Miovski scored a stoppage-time winner against St Mirren last month after coming off the bench, seemingly giving McInnes another reason to consider him for a more prominent role.

However, he has played only two minutes across the three league matches since that decisive contribution, with other attacking options continuing to receive preference.

January could be the right time for Miovski to leave

Miovski’s situation becomes even more difficult to understand when considering the injuries affecting Rangers’ attacking options.

With Youssef Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland sidelined, the Macedonian striker might reasonably have expected his opportunities to increase.

Instead, he has continued to struggle for minutes, with Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy also competing for attacking places at different points of the campaign.

That lack of involvement could become increasingly frustrating for a player who joined Rangers expecting to contribute regularly.

At 27, Miovski is an experienced forward with a proven record in Scottish football, having previously impressed during his time at Aberdeen before moving to Girona and subsequently Ibrox.

He still has the potential to make a meaningful contribution elsewhere, particularly at a club where he would receive a more consistent run in the team.

A January departure could therefore benefit both parties. Rangers would have the opportunity to reassess their attacking options, while Miovski could seek regular football rather than spend the remainder of the campaign on the fringes.

Matondo’s loan move to Hannover provided an example of how a player can look beyond Ibrox when opportunities become scarce, even though his eventual departure from Rangers came later.

Miovski should now consider a similar route if his circumstances do not improve over the coming weeks.

Rather than allowing another season to pass with limited involvement, the striker could take control of his future by exploring a move when the transfer window reopens.

Whether that requires a formal transfer request or simply discussions with McInnes and the club hierarchy, Miovski needs clarity over his role.

Rangers may still have use for his experience and finishing ability, but unless his opportunities improve, a January exit could represent the most sensible option for a striker whose career needs regular first-team football.