Reportedly Saudi-bound Rangers star Fashion Sakala was spotted turning out for the club in a pre-season friendly in Germany against third tier side Hallescher.
The Ibrox club played a bounce game against the Bundesliga 3 team with several players of new and old turning out in the eventual 2-0 Rangers victory.
Abdallah Sima gave Rangers a first-half lead in the match, his looping header evading the Hallescher goalkeeper, before James Tavernier rounded off the scoring in the first-period with a penalty.
Interestingly, this was won by another Rangers player who has been linked with the Ibrox exit door in Scott Wright, the ex-Aberdeen winger forcing the ball off the Hallescher defender’s arm.
New goalkeeper signing Jack Butland impressed in the first half of proceedings, making two smart stops, whilst the likes of Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers and Leon Balogun were also spotted playing in the match via the highlights on RangersTV.
But eagle-eyed Rangers fans would’ve also noticed the presence of Zambian international forward Fashion Sakala, who’s been linked with a £4m move to Saudi Arabia.
The 27-year-old attacker made headlines over the weekend when Sakala appeared to scrub the Ibrox club from his social media, sparking rumours of an imminent exit.
Fashion Sakala plays for Rangers amid Saudi links
The appearance of Fashion Sakala in the Rangers friendly win will end talk of an imminent move, even if the links to Saudi are said to be legitimate.
Signed on a pre-contract from Belgian club KV Oostende in 2021, Fashion Sakala has been a frustrating if not popular figure amongst the Rangers support.
At his best a direct, positive, unpredictable option who causes chaos in the opposition defence and who can unleash a wicked shot, there is clearly something in the ex-Spartak Moscow forward.
But too often has the winger, despite his beaming optimism, been inconsistent for the Light Blues with the attacker also prone to a high-profile miss such as those in both Hampden clashes v Celtic last season.
Rangers need more reliability in the big moments and even though Fashion Sakala is still developing as a footballer the lure of Saudi millions might just been too much for all parties.
That said, there is clearly nothing said or done yet as Croatian striker Antonio Colak lines up a move to Parma.
