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Rangers: Journalist voices concern for future of Fashion Sakala at Ibrox

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Image for Rangers: Journalist voices concern for future of Fashion Sakala at Ibrox

Rangers Review writer Jonny McFarlane believes that Fashion Sakala could now be surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

The 25-year-old is yet to feature for the Gers this season and wasn’t even part of the squad for the Kilmarnock game last Saturday, while he was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s Champions League tie.

The Zambian forward scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 50 games last term, but only 18 of those appearances were starts, and despite an impressive return, he doesn’t appear to be favoured by Giovanni van Bronckhorst at present.

He has played 33 times under the Dutch coach, but with the arrivals of Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak, Rabbi Matondo and Malik Tillman in attacking areas, his future does seem in doubt.

And speaking on the Rangers Review YouTube channel prior to Tuesday’s match, McFarlane voiced his own concerns, saying: “It doesn’t look like he’s really in the plans.

“I mean, Colak’s obviously come in which means that there’s more competition for a striking place. In terms of the wide areas, there’s more players now in there – you’ve got Tom Lawrence, you’ve got Matondo. Suddenly, Fashion Sakala’s got a real battle on his hands.

“I was never convinced that Giovanni van Bronckhorst was that enamoured with Sakala based around his use of him last season, so I think we’re just seeing that that probably is the case now.

“It will be interesting to see whether or not he ends up going out on loan before the transfer window ends. I still think he’s a useful player, but I can understand why, fundamentally, Giovanni van Bronckhorst might just find him a little bit too raw for his liking.”

TIF Thoughts on Sakala and Rangers…

Should Sakala be playing for Rangers?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Last term, Sakala showed his ability to operate anywhere across the front three and was even deployed through the middle while Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos dealt with injury.

Even still, it appears that his game time will be extremely limited with the striking duo returning to further restrict Sakala’s chances.

The 18-cap Zambia star is under contract in Glasgow until 2025, but is thought to be among the lowest earners at the club on around £8.3k per week, so a loan move could suit both parties, as mooted by McFarlane, and it will indeed be interesting to see what the Bears decide to do before the end of the window.

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