£4m ex-Rangers star returns to haunt Steven Gerrard and leave mouthy ex-Celtic icon in dust
04/05/2024 08:30
When Fashion Sakala signed for Rangers, the Zambian forward made no bones about the role of Steven Gerrard in the transfer.
The Ibrox side were said to have held off interest from down south and in France when they secured a pre-contract move for the KV Oostende attacker heading into the summer of 2021.
Over two years in Glasgow, Fashion Sakala worked his way into the hearts of Rangers fans but blew some big moments in a blue jersey.
A £4m summer move to Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia followed and since then the now 27-year-old has been making a name for himself in the gulf state.
But we bet that Steven Gerrard will be wishing the man he brought to Rangers had left his shooting boots behind as Fashion Sakala came roaring back to haunt his former gaffer in Saudi.
Sakala double downs Gerrard & Dembele
Fashion Jnr netted a double for Al-Fayha as they defeated Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq 2-1 in the Saudi Pro League.
Scoring a brace either side of a goal from ex-Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, it brings Fashion's impressive Pro League return to 16 for the league season and 19 in all competitions.
On Pro League duties this campaign, only Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr – 29), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al-Hilal – 23), and Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Ittihad – 19) have scored more.
Conversely, mouthy former Celtic striker Dembele – who routinely winds Gers fans up on social media – has been left in the dust by our man Fashion.
The French forward has managed just the 11 league goals this season.
The result means Al-Fayha have drawn level with Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League table on 41 points.
With only four games to go, a middling league table position appears to be all ex-Rangers forward Sakala and ex-Rangers manager Gerrard can hope for at their respective clubs.
| Fashion Sakala Saudi Pro League stats 23/24 | |
| Appearances (starts) | 28 (27) |
| Goals (xG) | 16 (11.75) |
| Assists (xA) | 5 (2.22) |
| Chances created | 24 |
| Touches (in oppositions box) | 1229 (169) |
| Shots (on target) | 95 (36) |
| Successful dribbles (%) | 78 (57.8%) |
Should Rangers have sold Zambian forward?
The form of Fashion Sakala in Saudi Arabia may well have a few Rangers fans asking if the club made the right decision in selling the forward.
For his flaws in the final third, Fashion often fluffing big chances or getting his feet all wrong such was his eagerness to get forward, the Zambian was an often lethal player who was always dangerous.
There was a feeling that if someone could access that final part of Sakala's game he could be a huge player for Rangers but alas, it was not to be.
Sold in the summer under manager Michael Beale, who initially claimed the money on offer was too good for Fashion and his family to turn down, there is a could hanging over Sakala's exit.
The Zambian forward would later claim that Beale forced him to train alone and then out of Ibrox and that he genuinely never wanted to leave the club.
Whatever the case, Fashion Sakala retains a firm love of Rangers Football Club and is always welcome back as a supporter or a guest.
It's also good to see the pacey forward making an impact in Saudi Arabia and whilst his time in Glasgow is tinged with regrets, Sakala left a positive impression at Ibrox.
