Beni Baningime and Elton Kabangu building close bond at Hearts

Beni Banigime has built a close bond with Hearts’ loan striker Elton Kabangu and said the Belgian’s character and leadership has shone in the dressing room.

Kabangu has struck five goals in five games since moving to Tynecastle on an initial loan deal from Union Saint-Gilloise in January.

And Banigime revealed the pair have bonded over their shared Congolese heritage as Hearts form has seen them climb the Premiership table and book a place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup.

Asked about Kabangu’s impact on and off the field at Hearts, Banigime said: “Oh 100% he is a leader.

“We were sharing a room before Aberdeen away and I could just tell from speaking to him he is a definite leader.

“He is loved here, his personality is great.

“Me and him speak the same language – Lingala – so at times we are speaking our own language and everyone is just looking at us!

“He has been a great addition – more than just a footballer. He’s a great friend, great personality, great character and that is what we have in the changing room.

“Even though the results at the start of the season weren’t going well we knew that what we had in the changing room was more than just ability.

“We have players with character and players who care for one another.

“Ultimately when you have that and you have that foundation, you know with the ability we have that we are going to do alright.”

Hearts put their eight game unbeaten run on the line when they host Rangers on Sunday and Baningime is confident they have the players to rise to the occasion.

He said: “I texted Elton after [St Mirren] and said ‘you are going to enjoy this game’. He lives for these moments.

“You need your game-changers to be at-it and Elton is one of those characters, as is [Lawrence Shankland] who has proven that.

“We have players who love the big moments and they thrive off it, so it is going to be a good game.”