Benni McCarthy comments on Rangers new boy Bongani Zungu

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Rangers finally snapped up Bongani Zungu on deadline day, landing the Amiens midfielder on a season-long loan deal.

The Gers have been in the market for a new midfielder for some time, and a host of names were linked with moves over the course of the transfer window.

In the end, Rangers signed Zungu on loan, weeks after it looked like a move for the South African international had fallen by the wayside.

The 27-year-old looked to be a top Rangers target, but Courrier Picard reported in August that the Gers had shelved the move due to concerns over his fitness.

Rangers finally resurrected the move on deadline day, and Zungu heads to Scotland in an attempt to get back on track having suffered relegation with Amiens last season.

If Zungu impresses at Ibrox, he could well earn a permanent move to Glasgow – and compatriot Benni McCarthy has spoken of what a good signing Rangers have made.

McCarthy has told the Scottish Sun that he spoke glowingly of Zungu when asked by Rangers coach Michael Beale, praising the midfielder as a ‘great player’ and ‘fantastic footballer’, as well as ‘a fighter’.

The former Porto star added that he thinks Zungu is the ‘complete’ midfielder, because is impressive on the ball and in the tackle, so he can do whatever Steven Gerrard needs him to do at Rangers.

“I know Michael very well as we were on the same Uefa coaching courses together, so he phoned me for a chat about Zungu,” said McCarthy. “When they were first interested in him they wanted to do some background checks. They had a good idea of what kind of player he was and wanted my opinion on him as well. I told them they’d be getting a real good one if they signed him. Not only is Zungu a great player, he is a fighter. I’ve watched him blossom over the last few years and Rangers have got themselves a fantastic footballer.”

“He is the complete midfielder, very comfortable on the ball and so strong in the tackle. He can play as a defensive midfielder too because he is so good at cleaning up. But he also offers you an attacking threat and he can score goals. Zungu can do everything in the middle of the park and that is why Steven Gerrard was so desperate to sign him. He is a tough tackler and if you need someone to put their foot in then he is capable of that. If you need someone to go in for a tough 50/50 challenge then he is your guy,” he added.