Michael Beale will be demanding more attacking invention from Fashion Sakala at half-time in Dundee United vs Rangers
Rangers made a poor start against Dundee United at Tannadice Park with much of their play looking uninventive and lacklustre for much of the first half.
The home side at times allowed the visitors much of the early territory in the first half but Michael Beale’s men failed to make any telling openings in the final third.
As the half grew on, the home side grew in confidence with for Scotland international Steven Fletcher having a few chances to score a deserved opener.
And one man who has failed to live up to his hype so far is the talented Fashion Sakala.
Along with Malik Tillman and Antonio Čolak, he was very poor in the first half, failing to create any openings in the game and struggling to get by his markers.
As talented as the Zambian is, and considering the impact he’s made in a Rangers shirt this season, the 25-year-old hasn’t matched the heights he’s set himself.
To be fair to him, his teammates simply have not helped his cause, struggling to impose themselves on a resurgent Dundee United side.
In a game where the Gers desperately need to win to close a 12-point gap on Celtic after their three points secured against Kilmarnock, Beale’s men are simply falling short of expectation.
Sakala was a peripheral figure in that first half. With Beale’s wingers expecting to be imaginative, and creative, he’s been easily shut out by the resilient and aggressive Australian international Behich.
Former Dundee United player Steven Thompson speaking on BBC Live [8 January, 16:31] summed things up perfectly stating: “Rangers haven’t really looked a threat from open play so far. They’ve had a couple of half sniffs – the shot from Colak – but they haven’t penetrated.”
If the Gers are to close the gap on their rivals this afternoon, Beale will be desperate for his attacking outlets to be more penetrative and inventive in the final third. By the looks of things, Celtic look worthy Scottish Premiership champions, and that’s a sorry predicament for Rangers at this point in the season.
In other Rangers news, club want to sign this South American ace who’s playing in Europe.