Fashion Sakala hattrick wins Rangers fan hearts as Motherwell hit for six

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Rangers star Fashion Sakala officially announces himself in Scottish football as the striker nets a hattrick and the Light Blues hit Motherwell for six.

The Zambian international striker, 24, joined Rangers in the summer from KV Oostende but at times have appeared over-eager and struggled to leave a proper impression on the side.

Limited largely to substitute appearances, Sakala has always worked hard when introduced but save for a goal in the 1-1 draw v the Steelmen at Ibrox, has struggled to ultimately influence games.

Against Aberdeen, Sakala’s introduction changed the game, and the striker won the penalty which earned Rangers a 2-2 draw against the Dons.

Rewarded with a start against Motherwell at Fir Park, the Rangers side once again went behind in a match and had to dig deep to find their way back into the game.

Bevis Mugabi had the Lanarkshire side in front by reacting quickest to an Allan McGregor save from a corner and you could almost hear the collective groans from bluenoses across the country.

Rangers have a habit of making things hard for themselves by conceding first as of late and this is something the team must get out of their game.

But the collective reaction was quite simply excellent with Rangers putting in the domestic performance of the campaign so far.

Rangers rampant in Motherwell as Fashion Sakala claims match ball

James Tavernier – on the Rangers captain’s birthday – hauled the team back into the match with a spectacular volley from a Calvin Bassey cross.

The Gers skipper was involved again as he delivered a wonderful, arcing ball onto the head of Zambian striker Fashion Sakala to get his first goal of the game just before halftime.

Fashion Sakala announces himself in Scottish football with a hattrick against Motherwell. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rangers would then come out the second half and blow Graeme Alexander’s side away in a performance Steven Gerrard described as “an inch off perfect” after the game.

Sakala got his second with an impressive solo effort which saw him cut in from the left and strike at goal with the ball deflecting in.

At 3-1, Motherwell captain Stephen O’Donnell was sent off for a second yellow card and from there Rangers capitalised.

Glen Kamara got a rare goal with a fine, arrowed low shot before Sakala completed his hattrick by getting on the end of another arcing cross to beat Liam Kelly.

Rangers would get their sixth through Kemar Roofe in injury time – the striker pinching it on the line after a Jack Simpson header – but the day belonged to Fashion Sakala.

Fans took to Twitter to praise the striker for his performance and there’s increasing hope that now the forward can show the Scottish game what he’s truly made of:

https://twitter.com/huffalosoldier/status/1454815528195792911

The result was a major one for Rangers as they extend their Scottish Premiership led to four points and for Sakala this will go down as a landmark moment in his career.

Rangers reportedly beat off interest from the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Lille to sign Fashion and the player has previously discussed turning down the top leagues for Ibrox.

To get an idea of his potential, read what the KV Oostende manager had to say regarding losing the forward and a major downturn in form for the Belgian club.