The fatal Fashion Sakala flaw that has made Rangers manager continuously overlook him

“I am expecting a meeting any time soon and I hope to hear the manager’s views,” said the Zambian. “This is something I am looking forward to because we are starting a competition and I want to know where I am standing because I don’t know at the moment.”

The outcome of said meeting is a matter for the internal parties at Rangers, but Sakala’s omission from the matchday squad for the victory over Kilmarnock, coupled with the fact he failed to get off the bench against both Livingston and Union Saint-Gilloise, certainly doesn't bode well. Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed that the Zambian will return for the Champions League qualifying second leg against Union Saint-Gilloise, but he doesn't appear to be in the Dutchman's immediate thoughts.

It’s worth reflecting on how it got this point exactly.

Sakala featured 26 times in the Scottish Premiership last season, with the majority of his outings coming in a wide role off either the left or right-hand side. Although he arrived with considerable pedigree as a central striker from his time at Oostende, the managerial change mid-season at Ibrox saw a reconfiguration of the centre-forward’s responsibilities.

“When I came here Steven Gerrard told me not to be a winger, I was to play as a No 9,” Sakala said recently. “When Gio came we had a meeting and he told me I’m not going to play for him as a striker because he likes big strikers.

“So now I’m being told to play more as a winger, which is something I have to work on. I’m working on it, but I’m not really a winger, I’m more a speed striker.”

Indeed, the Zambian was handed the central striking role for the Europa League quarter-final first leg trip to face Braga following Alfredo Morelos’ season-ending injury last season. However, the performance underlined his awkward fit as the No.9 in van Bronckhorst’s system, with Rangers requiring a focal point in attack to hold the ball up and help alleviate pressure for the team.

And yet Sakala continued to score at an impressive rate in domestic outings last term, ending the Scottish Premiership campaign with a goal every 167 minutes. He proved very effective off the sides against packed defences at Ibrox, scoring in wins over Motherwell and Ross County.

The Zambian’s key pass map from last term underlines the regularity in which he was able to penetrate the opposition’s penalty area. Sakala does not look to create for his teammates from through balls or crossing situations but, when he does enter the vicinity of the 18-yard area, it typically ends in a shot at goal for Rangers.

However, it has been his defensive capacity – or lack thereof – that has often left van Bronckhorst frustrated.

In the 2-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle in December last season, this writer witnessed the Dutchman admonishing Sakala first-hand for failing to track his marker from a quick Hearts goal-kick.

Later in the season against the same opponents in the Scottish Cup final, van Bronckhorst could be heard screaming in the Zambian’s direction for failing to press with conviction after being introduced as a substitute in extra time.

READ MORE: What is Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers footballing philosophy?

In addition, it was the Zambian’s lack of defensive nous that allowed Celtic to advance into the Rangers penalty area to score in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park in May. Sakala is caught ball watching as James Tavernier is left 2v1.

Van Bronckhorst made a pointed remark ahead of his debut as Rangers boss last November: “The defending part of the game is for everyone.”

Whereas under Gerrard the attacking trio remained high and blocked off the centre of the pitch, van Bronckhorst prefers his wide players to collapse behind the ball to offer numerical solidity.

Calvin Bassey offered insight into van Bronckhorst’s defensive instructions following the Dutchman’s Ibrox bow against Sparta Prague in the Europa League last term.

“It’s just about defending as a group and being solid,” said the now Ajax defender. “He’s said it’s easier to defend with 11 players than it is with seven or eight.”

Van Bronckhorst’s manoeuvres in the transfer market this summer have left Sakala looking in from the outside.

Tom Lawrence goes some way to replacing his high-volume shooting threat, with the former Derby County midfielder also more comfortable operating in the central pockets that are key to unlocking the stuffy defences of the Scottish Premiership.

Rabbi Matondo boasts the same lightning acceleration that first marked Sakala out upon his arrival from Belgian, and he is a more traditional creative winger compared to the Zambian.

Sakala is single-minded in his pursuit of goals and, in a Rangers team that have often lacked a killer instinct over the years, he represents a deviation from the norm in terms of the attacking profile the Gers have tended to recruit.

John Lundstram looked bound for the exit door as early as January under van Bronckhorst, before playing arguably the most pivotal role in the side’s run to the Europa League final. Sakala will be eager to follow a similar career arc at Ibrox - only time will tell if he can pull it off.