The absence of South African international Bongani Zungu from the Rangers squad this weekend for the victory over Kilmarnock was especially ominous given criticism of the midfielder after the draw with Hamilton.
Zungu, 28, was given a rare start for Rangers in the 1-1 draw at New Douglas Park, his first domestic start since that 3-2 Betfred Cup defeat to St. Mirren.
The midfielder has found starting berths hard to come by and struggled in both these matches, eventually being hooked around the 60th minute against Hamilton.
The lackadaisical and frustrated figure of Zungu upon his number being called pretty much sums up the early part of his Rangers career.
The midfielder is taking a bit of adjusting to the Scottish game and bar some appearances from the bench when the game is all but won, looks a tad off the pace at Ibrox.
Many before him have talked about struggling to acclimatise to the pace at which football is played in Scotland and in both domestic games this season Zungu has been found wanting.
On-loan from Amiens, for many fans, on current form Zungu would do well to convince Rangers to part with the reported £2.7m it will reportedly cost to bring him from Amiens permanently [Daily Record].
For others, we haven’t seen enough of the player and he needs time to settle into the way of things in Scotland.
But after he was hooked from the squad for the 1-0 win over Killie, it’s perhaps an ominous sign one way or the other than time is running out to win a permanent contract.
Here’s how some Gers fans reacted to the midfielder’s display against Hamilton with many fans disappointed in the player’s contribution.
