Ibrox attacker Fashion Sakala is winning over many Rangers fans

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Ibrox attacker Fashion Sakala is winning over many Rangers fans
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 02: Fashion Sakala of Rangers challenges Carl Starfelt of Celtic during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Fashion Sakala has been the talk of Rangers fans ever since Michael Beale returned to Ibrox, such has been the rise in prominence of the Zambian international under the ex-assistant.

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The ex-Oostende attacker infamously criticised ex-manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst because the Dutch boss told him firmly that he wasn’t going to be playing as striker in his team, but as winger behind the chosen hitman.

Sakala was frankly horrified by this and took to the media to express it.

So lo and behold we aren’t one bit surprised that now he’s getting a regular run on the right wing, his criticisms of that position have quietened entirely and the pacey flanker seems quite happy with life now. Methinks he doeth protest too much (a while ago anyway) and the day he bailed on James Tavernier and avoided the baying crowd seems to have been forgotten as well….

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With Michael Beale, Sakala’s game is very much the same as before – running very fast, working very hard, and if given the chance to think about what he’s doing, making an absolute pig’s ear of it. But if given no thinking time, he’s more than passable and arguably improving.

But the difference now is he’s getting a sustained run for the first time in his Rangers career and while he’s no Brian Laudrup, he’s impressing many fans and most importantly, his manager.

Ibrox Noise polled the fans over their opinion on the forward, and the consensus was pretty much universal among around 1000 replies.

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Aside the endearing Zambians chipping in attacking anyone who was less than a fan of Sakala, the overall view read thus:

‘Works hard, great attitude, if given time to think he’s rotten, but heart in the right place and gives his all. Has improved under Michael Beale but still his second touch remains a tackle.’

This is a reasonably fair assessment. In that first half v Utd he was painful to watch: his passing awry, his running clueless and his reading of the game non-existent. He was being ridiculed by fans throughout and during half time. But then in the second half he got one big chance and took it brilliantly, making everyone a Sakala fan once again.

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This is the summary of Sakala – he will frustrate fans endlessly, with dumb decisions, bad runs and generally poor touches, but give him that one moment and he can change the game. Sakala is a curate’s egg – a game changer indeed but one who can absolutely bewilder everyone for the rest of the match.

Technically he is limited – not unlike Scott Wright, who plays a similar game albeit slightly more considered, both attackers are underwhelming technically. Little composure, a heavy touch and often failing to make good final balls or decisions over what to do next.

But every squad needs players like these, guys who are hardly Messi but will give everything they have.

Sakala isn’t a starter for us at Ibrox Noise, but he’s useful. But we’re not the manager, Michael Beale is.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Definitely seen an improvement in him in recent weeks so that’s telling me the impact Beales having even if team performances aren’t the best yet. This gives me hope for the rest of the season. He’s still a bit brainless and reckless though and in fairness in interview after Tannadice Beale did alude to some of his gameplay when he has time on the ball.

  2. Always liked sakala he gives his all couldn’t understand why he never got a good run in the team hope he gets a good run now he will even be better big fan of him🔴⚪️🔵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

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