Bongani Zungu, Rangers bury the hatchet as midfielder returns to action

Bongani Zungu and Rangers have finally smoked the peace pipe after a tough week which saw the club suspend the midfielder.

Zungu shot himself in the foot over a week ago as he and four other players breached Covid-19 protocols after they were caught partying.

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He was then suspended by the club, and subsequently missed Rangers’ matches against Kilmarnock FC and Dundee United.

Manager Steven Gerrard hinted soon after the partying incident that Zungu may have blown his chances of wearing the Rangers jersey again.

His sentiments were echoed by former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan, who felt Zungu was as good as ‘gone’ for disrespecting the club.

The Bafana Bafana midfielder eventually apologised for his actions upon return and pleaded with the club supporters to put the matter behind them and focus on the future.

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Gerrard then accepted Zungu’s apology and allowed the midfielder to return to training.

And on Thursday night, the Liverpool legend gave Zungu a run in Rangers’ 5-2 win over Antwerp in the Europa League.

Rangers advanced to the Last 16 of Europe’s second-biggest club competition with a 9-5 aggregate win over the Belgian side.

Zungu came on as second-half substitute, replacing Steven Davis with less than 10 minutes to go before the end of the match.

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His introduction could be seen as a new lease of life at Rangers and provided he doesn’t step on too many toes in the remaining months of his loan deal, Zungu could be handed a permanent contract in July.

But that is a decision Gerrard, his technical team and the management will take at the end of the season.