Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has predicted how long it will be before supporters see the best of new arrival, Bongani Zungu, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
Zungu signed for the club on an initial loan deal from Amiens on deadline day but was forced to spend two weeks in quarantine before joining up with the squad on Wednesday.
The midfielder was provided with training equipment and analysis videos during that period but he is short of minutes on the training pitch.
Therefore, while he could make his debut against Lech Poznan on Thursday night, Gerrard says fans shouldn’t expect the 28-year-old to be at his best for some time yet.
“He hasn’t trained with a group for quite some time now,” he said, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “If you look at the previous months, he hasn’t played many games. We registered him because we want him fit and available and sharp as quick as we can. I will put him in the squad tomorrow just because we have the luxury of naming 12 subs, otherwise, tomorrow would have come too soon.”
“The game will dictate who we use, how we use and when we use. If the game allows, he could maybe be introduced for a short time, but we will have to see how the game pans out.
“We don’t predict seeing the best out of Bongani for another couple of weeks, three weeks, at least, because he needs game time. He has been called up by the national team so hopefully, we can get him over with the national team and he can get more training and more game time. Then, after the international break, he will be good to go.”
Gerrard predicts when Rangers fans will see Bongani Zungu shine – Verdict
It’s a little surprising that Zungu is in contention to feature against Lech Poznan on Thursday, given that the fixture falls less than 48 hours after he met his teammates for the first time.
However, the new arrival hasn’t had any injury problems recently and if the Gers are in a comfortable position, a ten-minute cameo is unlikely to hurt.
The manager is right to play down expectations surrounding the Bafana Bafana man, though, who will undoubtedly take a while to settle in.
Competition for places is strong in midfield right now and he’ll need to be in top condition before he can genuinely be considered for a starting berth.
South Africa are taking on São Tomé in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November, and although the standard of the opposition won’t be high, two appearances in four days for Zungu would help prepare him for the Christmas run-in at Ibrox.
