Michael Stewart and BBC Sportscene pundit react to ‘unbelievable’ moment in Rangers win v Annan
Michael Stewart suggested Fashion Sakala’s goal for Rangers in their 3-0 win away at Annan on Saturday was a fluke.
Sakala, 24, grabbed his ninth goal of the season in the Scottish Cup showdown at Galabank when he seemed to try and cross the ball into the box from the left-wing.
The Gers forward’s cross ended up finding the top corner at the far post, leading to Stewart disagreeing with Amy Irons’ assessment of the goal on BBC Sportscene on Saturday night [12 February].
“Sakala took his opportunity, didn’t he?” said Sportscene host Irons.
Even though Cammy Bell was going to reply, Stewart butted in to say: “It wasn’t an opportunity.”
Irons then said: “He’ll say it was an opportunity, Michael.”
BBC pundit Bell was then allowed to share his assessment of the goal.
“What a finish. It looks an unbelievable finish,” said the former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper.
“I think he’s tried to cross the ball there but he’ll take that all day long and it was one that killed any chance Annan had in the game.
“Losing those two early goals for Annan was a real killer blow and gave Rangers the lead which obviously became difficult for Annan going forward.”
Lucky – but who cares?
It doesn’t matter if it’s a tap-in from one-yard out, a mazy run from your own half, a spectacular bicycle kick or a cross finding it’s way into the top corner – a goal is a goal.
Sakala will be thrilled that the conditions probably aided the ball in going into the back of the net at Galabank on Saturday evening because, let’s face it, the Zambia international didn’t intend to score as he put the ball into the box.
He was at a very wide angle and there were Gers players in the box who he was probably aiming to get the ball over for.
It was a fluke – but flukes happen when you’re getting the ball into the box.
We were always going to beat Annan.
We don’t mean anything direspectful to them but even though Giovanni van Bronckhorst rung loads of changes, the conditions were terrible and we were playing on a plastic pitch, Rangers were going to win that game.
Sakala may have had a confidence boost from his goal with the Zambian now netting twice in his last three appearances.
Let’s hope he can continue firing on all cylinders with some big matches on the horizon.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson is furious with the “ridiculous” claim he’s heard about Aaron Ramsey.