Fashion Sakala’s exploits on Sunday made him only the second African player to score a hat-trick in modern times.
His first goal of the game was a crucial one for Rangers coming just before the break and shortly after the equaliser from James Tavernier – providing a massive lift for the second half.
The Gers never looked back from that point.
After the interval, the Zambian notched his hat-trick with his team’s fourth and fifth goals of the game.
In only his third Premiership start, in eight league apperances overall, the former Oostende man has made a signal of intent with a pledge of more to follow.
Who preceded Sakala?
That happened back in 2012 and the man amongst the goals was Sone Aluko.
Fashion Sakala's hat-trick for Rangers was only the second by an African player in Scottish Premiership history 🎩
▪️Sone Aluko, 2012 🇳🇬
▪️Fashion Sakala, 2021 🇿🇲 pic.twitter.com/NfSeWaO0BP— JABULANI XI (@JABULANIXI) October 31, 2021
His particular hat-trick came on the final day of the 2011/12 season, a time of stress and unease at the club given all that happened just months before.
On that day, 13th May 2012, Nigerian international Aluko got his three goals in the second-half after an opener by Lee McCulloch in a 0-4 win for Ally McCoist’s side.
The full squad that day was as follows:
McGregor, Broadfoot, Wallace, Whittaker, Bartley, Perry, McCulloch, Edu, Aluko (McKay, 77), Bedoya (Little, 81), McCabe (Healy 81).
Subs not used: Alexander, Hegarty, Mitchell, Crawford.
Aluko celebrates in front of the Govan stand after his goal in the 3-2 win over Celtic in March 2012.