Former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan believes that Bongani Zungu will be "absolutely gone" from the club after betraying manager Steven Gerrard's trust.

Zungu out?

Reports last week revealed that five Gers players, now known as the "party five" were in breach of coronavirus pandemic protocols after attending a house party in the early hours last Sunday.

Zungu, currently on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 side Amiens, was accompanied by Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and academy goalkeeper Brian Kinnear, to which the police attended the incident and handed each of them fixed penalty notices (via Goal).

Gerrard reacted by saying he felt "personally let-down" by the events and Zungu was dropped for their Europa League clash against Royal Antwerp during mid-week.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan is convinced that Zungu's time will be dramatically cut short on the foundations of faith.

“He’s already gone, absolutely gone – there’s no way you’re going to be signing a player like that if you can’t trust them.

“The biggest word in everyone, in any manager, is can I trust my players on the pitch? Can I trust them off the pitch? Can I trust them to be the right character that needs to be embedded into this football club?

“The straight answer there is absolutely not.

“Whether these other four end up playing again for Rangers, that remains to be seen. I very much doubt it, because I think once you cross that line, it’s very difficult to come back from it.

“It brings shame on the club, onto the manager as well and the rest of the players. It shows a lack of respect and disrespect to them.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Gerrard has never sugarcoated his words to the press - nor has he not backed up what he has promised. This could indicate that Whelan might be right.

Zungu was hugely irresponsible - as were the other four players involved. While there have been similar incidents elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, there is still no excuse.

Time will tell whether Gerrard decides to take any further action, and if so, whether it could mean that Zungu will return to France or even have his loan cut short.

In other news, find out which Gers man is attracting Premier League interest here!