Keith Jackson delivers strong verdict on Rangers forward Fashion Sakala
Keith Jackson was left unimpressed with Fashion Sakala after Rangers lost 1-0 against Braga on Thursday.
With Alfredo Morelos out injured, Giovanni van Bronckhorst used Sakala upfront, but he looked out of depth in European games.
Jackson, The Daily Record columnist, says he is surprised to see that Sakala stayed on the pitch for 61 minutes despite contributing nothing.
The Dutchman dropped the likes of Joe Aribo and Aaron Ramsey for this big game, and yet he stuck with Sakala for so long – a major decision that seemed to have backfired.
“This time, it was Fashion Sakala who was asked to add some pace to the Dutchman’s attack but even though the striker is an undoubted speed merchant, he is also as raw as a pound of Zambian mince,” wrote Jackson for The Daily Record.
“He’s also a lightweight replacement for a man who has taken on the mantle of a Europa League heavyweight.
“The truth is, neither Sakala nor Roofe is equipped to provide what Morelos does for this team but rather than find another way of functioning, van Bronckhorst seems to be resigned to doing nothing much more than changing personnel, crossing his fingers and hoping for the best.
“Sakala couldn’t hold the ball up or bring team-mates into play. The only surprise was he stayed on the pitch for 61 minutes before departing as part of a triple substitution.”
Need to trust Roofe
Van Bronckhorst needs to find a way to counter the absence of Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian is the club’s top scorer with 19 goals, and it won’t be easy to replenish his void, as he is ruled out for the rest of the season.
But Rangers have to come up with some ideas to counter the problem. Kemar Roofe was used against Celtic and it didn’t work.
Sakala can bring loads of pace and energy but he is not a replacement for Morelos by any stretch of the imagination. He lacks the tactical maturity to play in big European games.
Next Thursday, when the two teams meet at Ibrox, the Gers will have to win. Van Bronckhorst, at the moment, is only changing his players, but he needs to find a system that can get the best out of Roofe.
The Dutchman needs to trust Roofe who has a good scoring record. He is vastly experienced as well.
In other Rangers news, the Gers are readying a summer bid to sign this left-footed ace who supports a rival club.