Scottish Premiership

RANGERS target Bongani Zungu has revealed how he once cheated death in a terrifying carjacking incident in his South African homeland.
The Ibrox side are closing in on the £3.5million signing of the 27-year-old Amiens midfielder, who looks set to be Steven Gerrard’s latest capture ahead of Saturday’s big kick off at Aberdeen.

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Bongani Zungu is expected to join Rangers this week in a £3.5m dealCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
But Zungu told how he could have been gunned down in cold blood right outside his family’s home in Duduza, South Africa.
He said: “What happened was I was driving…and the funny thing is this happened right in front of my parents’ house, like at the gate.
“So I was taking my young brother home and two guys in a car came and they started shooting. I told my younger brother to open the door and run. He ran, and I had to come out. It was just a crazy moment.
“But fortunately, I just told them to take the car and leave, so that’s what happened. That’s where I come from, these things happen a lot.

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Zungu is believed to have chosen Rangers over Celta VigoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“But that situation also helped me mentally, because now I’m more careful when I’m driving.
“You need to be sure, you need to check what’s going on and stuff. So after all that, I picked myself up, I said to myself, ‘Okay, the positive thing is that nothing bad really happened, they just took the car.’ It taught me how to be careful.
“I guess it’s important to take lessons from all of these difficulties. I can’t even imagine experiencing something like that and taking it in your stride.
“So football kind of helps me. Like, I switch off from the problems of the world and what’s happening when I play football, despite all that has happened.

“Every time when I’m training or I’m on the pitch, I know how to adjust and perform.”

I was taking my young brother home and two guys in a car came and they started shooting.
Bongani Zungu

Zungu has gone on to become one of his country’s top stars and he revealed that he has modelled his career on former Barcelona and Manchester City hero Toure after admitting he studied the veteran Ivory Coast star closely.
Zungu said: “Growing up, I looked up to Yaya Toure. I used to watch a lot of his games.
“I watched him at Barcelona back in the day, and then when he was at Manchester City, even when I became a professional football player because I’m the type of player that invests a lot of time in football.
“I watch what top midfielders do, or if they have books or documentaries or anything like that. So I can say Yaya Toure was the biggest influence.
“He was very influential in terms of when he was on the pitch and the things he did.
“When I was younger, I basically played in every position.

“When I made my debut in the South African second division for Dynamos I was a No.10 and then I went to the Premier League and played in the same position for Tuks.
“It was only when I was at Mamelodi Sundowns, that they moved me to a holding midfielder role.
“There are a lot of players whose manager decides what position they play in. Perhaps I will see myself as an attacking midfielder, but he wants me as a defensive midfielder.
“So I read about Yaya because that was what happened to him and learned all about how it impacted him as a player because it’s difficult to make that change.”

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JOE HART looks unlikely to replace Fraser Forster at Celtic, according to reports.
The former England No1 is a free agent after being released by Burnley at the end of June.

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Celtic were linked with a move for free agent Joe Hart last month – but a move now looks unlikelyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
However, the Telegraph claims a possible move to Scotland for the 33-year-old goalkeeper is in doubt.
It is understood Celtic have turned their attention to the European market in their search for a new stopper.
The Scottish champions have been linked with AEK Athens goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas in recent weeks.
The Scottish Sun reported this weekend Celtic were in talks with two goalkeepers over a summer transfer.

The Bhoys are on the hunt for a new keeper after this season’s first choice Forster returned to Southampton at the end of his loan spell in Glasgow.
Last month, it was reported Celtic’s keeper search could lead them to veteran Hart.
The ex-Manchester City man has endured a torrid time since leaving the Etihad.
Disappointing loan spells at Torino and West Ham were followed by a permanent transfer to Sean Dyche’s Clarets.

But in his two seasons at Turf Moor he failed to displace Tom Heaton and then Nick Pope between the sticks.
Hart has only featured in three cup games for Burnley this season.
As well as Celtic, Hart has been linked with newly promoted Leeds, Championship side Derby County and Turkish outfit Besiktas in recent months.

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RANGERS star Alfredo Morelos was subjected to racist abuse while filming a live video.
The Ibrox ace was streaming the clip to his followers on Instagram around 6pm last night while wearing his Gers training kit.

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Alfredo Morelos (middle) taking the knee to support Black Lives Matter on Thursday nightCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

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Less than a day later, Morelos was racially abused on Instagram
During the video, social media users are able to comment and react.
And one vile troll posted a racial slur during the stream, branding the Colombian striker a “black b*****d”.
The user, which appears to be a gaming account, wrote: “Ya black b*****d mon the Ira” before adding a string of Ivory Coast flags, presumably .
One source told the Scottish Sun he found the comment “disgusting”, adding: “I would dread to think what people have sent him privately.”

The abuse, which has been reported to cops, came less than 24 hours after Morelos and his teammates took the knee ahead of their match against Lyon to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Scottish Sun has approached Rangers and Police Scotland for comment.
Morelos has previously been the subject of alleged racist abuse.

In February, cops launched a probe after an alleged incident during a match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

One Kilmarnock supporter who was at the game claimed they heard someone shout ‘black b******’ at the Colombian international.
A video later emerged on social media appearing to highlight the abuse – and we cleaned up the audio for you to hear.
Kilmarnock have since vowed to investigate the alleged abuse and promised to ban any supporter found guilty.

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RANGERS would be Scottish Premiership champions if they played Celtic every week, according to Niko Katic.
The crocked defender insisted it was an error ending the Scottish season prematurely and is convinced Gers will improve in the new campaign.

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Rangers star Niko Katic scored an Old Firm winner in DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association
Katic was ruled out for the “foreseeable future” after suffering the knee injury in training in what was a huge blow for the Ibrox club.
But, the 23-year-old has revealed he has already started rehabilitation after surgery last week and is plotting his recovery.
And he reckons Rangers would have been champions last season if they had played against Celtic every week.
Katic said: “I think the decision not to continue the league was a mistake. England managed to continue and they are very close to us.

“We could have played on here and we have now had a very long break. It certainly would have been better if we had not ended the season.
“In the league, Celtic have been champions for years, but we matched them very well last season before we fell away after the break.
“At every step, you can feel the rivalry and I feel we are at least on their level.
“Those games against Celtic are a special experience, I had the good fortune to experience a victory and I will remember that for the rest of my life.

“If we had played every game last season against Celtic, we would be champions. Against them, we were always playing at a high standard.
“In the cup final, we were impossibly good against Celtic, but just couldn’t score.”
EURO AMBITION
Katic is now on the road to recovery – and is targeting a spot in Croatia’s Euro 2021 squad.
He revealed: “There was a rupture of my anterior cruciate ligament and it’s estimated I should be back by the New Year, so we’ll see how recovery goes.
“I was in surgery last week and I have already started light rehabilitation.
“It’s possible the injury happened because of the extent of the break we had, but we will never know.
“[Making the Euros squad] is certainly one of the main goals of my career.
“I worked really hard and I did everything to get picked for the national team before the European Championship, that was my goal.

Gerrard’s Rangers would be champs if they played Celtic every week, says Katic

“Unfortunately, this injury happened, but I will try my hardest again in the second half of this season.
“For me, everything was focussed on that this season. Playing for Croatia in Glasgow, which is now my second home, would be the peak of my career.
“I know I have a long, hard road ahead of me, but I will do my very best to make it happen.”

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A RANGERS pub has been urging punters to STAMP on Scott Brown’s face as they reopen from lockdown.
The Bristol Bar on Duke Street, Glasgow, posted a video on Facebook to show punters how they now look as they follow coronavirus guidelines.

The Bristol Bar urged fans to stamp on Scott Brown’s face while queueing for the toilet

Celtic captain Scott Brown is a hate figure among the Rangers supportCredit: PA:Press Association
As part of their efforts to maintain social distancing, and in amongst all the Gers memorabilia and decor, the floors are covered in signs telling people how far apart they should stand and what direction to walk.
But one of them goes a lot further – with a row pictures of the Celtic captain mocked up as a clown and accompanied by the message: “Wait here! Feel free to stamp on this clown.”
The video was posted to the boozer’s Facebook page this morning with the caption: “We open at 11am. Have a look inside of some of the changes we have made.
“Anyone who visits is will be required to give their name and number for the purposes for Track and Trace for NHS.

“Remember to priority book download our app.”
Some fans were loving the humour and showed their appreciation.

The Bristol Bar has reopened after lockdown

Brown is mocked up as a clown in the pics
One said: “Loving the clown pictures on floor lmfao.”
Another wrote: “That’s the best bit.”

But not everyone agreed and one woman said it made her embarrassed to be a Gers supporter.
She said: “What a ridiculous thing to do…. considering the current state of the world, this is what you can come up with… another reason to cause hate?!?!
“You should be utterly ashamed! Be proud of your team without degrading others – it’s the classier way to behave! So disappointed and embarrassed to be a Rangers fan!”

Meanwhile, Rangers jetted out to France as they step up preparations for the new campaign.
The Light Blues were pictured at Glasgow Airport ahead of their flight as they get set to take part in the Veolia trophy.
Steven Gerrard’s men will face Lyon on Thursday before tackling French Ligue 1 rivals Nice 48 hours later.
Old Firm rivals Celtic are also taking part in the pre-season tournament but the two clubs won’t face each other.

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EVERTON are set to launch a bid to sign Rangers youngster Cole McKinnon this summer – but face competition from Aston Villa.
The talented midfielder, 17, has a year left on his deal at Ibrox but has caught the attention of several Premier League sides.

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Cole McKinnon is on the radar of Everton and Aston VillaCredit: SNS Group
The Toffees are keeping tabs on the Scotland Under-17 international, who has already featured for Rangers’ reserve side despite his young age.
Aston Villa are also believed to be admirers of McKinnon, while a number of other clubs south of the border are keeping an eye on the rookie.
Everton are considering a major summer overhaul in a bid to get back into European contention next season.
As well as McKinnon, the Toffees are set to battle Arsenal and West Ham for the signing of Athletic Bilbao star Unai Nunez.

The 23-year-old has fuelled speculation he is set to depart this summer by snubbing yet another contract offer.

Spanish outlet AS claim he has “declined to renew” due to making only 12 starts in La Liga this term.
With a £27million release clause in his contract, Everton could be willing to activate that in order to strengthen their back line.
AC Milan and Monaco are two other interested parties.

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