Fashion Sakala, having been written off by some Rangers fans already, finally got the chance to prove that he has everything it takes to be a success in a Light Blue shirt after a devastating performance against Motherwell on Sunday – leaving the group with what appeared to be their only match ball.
Yes, he is rough around the edges but he was a constant menace and provided a totally different threat to that of Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos, the ball over the top and in behind defences now a real option with the Zambian international in the line up. No other forward would have made up the ground when he scored his hat-trick goal after a beautifully weighted Steven Davis pass.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Steven Gerrard was quick to sing Sakala’s praises, pointing out that he now appears to be more settled in the group after initially struggling through injury that the manager himself took responsibility for.
Sakala was also happy with his display, however, in what is sure to give Premiership defenders sleepless nights, he also confirmed that the best is yet to come:
“Im getting there, we don’t stop learning, we’ve been in the process for some months and not yet settled but I think I’m getting there. I just have to keep on working extra hard.
“I believe there is more to come, like I said, I haven’t reached that level yet. I have to keep on believing, keep on working extra hard and keep on staying positive and motivated.”
If that’s him “not quite there” we could be in for a treat when he finally does get up to speed, that he scored three completely different goals also gives an indication of the threat he will carry if he is given the chance.
With Ryan Kent still to come back into the line-up, we could soon see a front three that has serious pace, Rangers, like Sakala, are only going to get better – buckle up.