Fashion Sakala has shown the odd glimpse of what he is capable of, the goal against Real Madrid in pre-season, the reactionary goal against Motherwell earlier in the season and the odd display of pace that has shown he could be a real menace to opposition defences.
Against the Steelmen on Sunday, it was all on show, the pace, the finishing, the heading ability – everything that encouraged Rangers to beat off Premier League competition for the Zambian international.
What was also on display was Sakala’s infectious smile that couldn’t be wiped off his face after scoring his first career hat-trick, not a bad time to decide to do it.
🗣️”The match ball is safe, I’m just waiting for the guys to sign it! I’ll sleep with it tonight!”
Rangers fans you can now hear from your hat-trick hero Fashion Sakala👇 pic.twitter.com/xGAP9IWy7I
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 31, 2021
Even the most cynical of Rangers fan has been persuaded that there may be a player there after all following a devastating display and arguably, one of the finest individual performances of the season in a Light Blue shirt.
They took to Twitter after the game to celebrate their new hero and one that you can’t fail to love:
Nicest guy in football
— – (@Rfc1872I) October 31, 2021
What a humble young man. A delight to listen to. I have very high hopes for him.
— Marble Staircase (@dalmarnockrd) November 1, 2021
How can you no like this wee guy? Just loving his life and living the dream at such a big club 💙
— Dan Tait (@TaitDan1690) October 31, 2021
God I love this wee guy. Thank you God for giving us Fashion Shakala Jr.
— Pedro 55 (@PEDRO55RFC) October 31, 2021
What a decent guy. I can only wish the very best for him. He appreciates being here. I hope its just the 1st in a long line of hat tricks for him.
— Paul Wilson (@paulwilson79) October 31, 2021
What an infectious smile, love him 😁
— Lee (@LeePHD33) October 31, 2021
Sakala might not have the best touch or be the best technical player we have at the club, however, with pace like his, he will always cause teams problems. Stephen O’Donnell is a typical Scottish Premiership defender in that he will rarely get out of position but, isolated 1 v 1 against someone with speed, he has no chance – hopefully we see Sakala start more often, twice he has in the league and we’ve scored nine goals, that’s not a coincidence.