Zungu to train with squad for first time ahead of Euro clash
South African inter national midfielder Bong aniZungu will join the Rangers firstteam squad for training as they prepare for their Europa League Group D fixture against Lech Poznan at Ibrox tomorrow night.
The 28-year-old is now free of the quarantine period he had to observe following his arrival on a season-long loan from French club Amiens, a deal concluded in the closing hours of the transfer window on October 5.
Zungu, who has earned a recall to the South African squad ahead of their African Cup of Nations qualifying double-header, has been included in Rangers’ Europa League group stage squad by manager Steven Gerrard and is therefore eligible to make his debut against Polish side Poznan as the Scottish Premiership leaders look to build on the positive star t they made to the campaign with their 2-0 win over Standard Liege in Belgium last week.
A place on the bench is the
most likely scenario for Zungu as he gets up to speed with his new team-mates but Rangers assistant-manager Gary Mcallister has welcomed yet another selection option in an already highly competitive area of the Ibrox squad.
"Zungu becomes avail able to train with us just prior to Poznan,” said Mcallister. “So that’s very encouraging. It adds to our strength in the middle of the park.”
Meanw hi le,Zungu’ s international team-mate Dean Furman, who had a brief spell at Rangers at the start of his career and is now back in British football at Carlisle United, has backed the player he calls ‘Bongs’ to make a big impact in Scotland.
“I’ve seen him develop for a number of years now and he has made great progress,” Furman told Rangers matchday programme.
“For a big guy, Bongs has very good feet and is good on the ball. He’s strong too, so I don’t see him having any problems with the physical nature of Scottish football.
“What an opportunity it is for him to play for a massive club. He is more than up for the challenge.
"I was already there when he first got involved with the national team and he caught my eye very quickly. I was really impressed with his ability."