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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Fashion Sakala handed Rangers Celtic key role as Ibrox hero shifts focus from 'other mob' jibe

Fashion Sakala has 'hurt' Celtic before and he can again on Sunday according to Rangers hero Mark Hateley.

The Zambian, however, has made headlines for other reasons this week as in the build-up to Sunday's blockbuster derby he referred to opponents Celtic as 'the other mob'. The dig was made as part of a pre-match press conference with the winger - who has seen an upturn of form under Michael Beale - vying for a start at Hampden.

Sakala was a catalyst for Rangers to turn last month's 2-2 derby draw around in the Light Blues' favour when he won a penalty and provided an assist for Ryan Kent. And Hateley believes he can be the key to unlock the final for Beale and insists Celtic's defence could be 'worried' by his pace.

READ MORE: The Ryan Kent Rangers difference maker factor as pundit lays out key cup final role

He told the Get Involved referee podcast via the Scottish Daily Express: “I would play Fashion Sakala. He has hurt Celtic and caused them problems in three of the last four meetings. He set up the two Rangers goals in the 2-2 draw in January, he scored at Parkhead last May and it was his persistence that gave Rangers the winner in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

“He plays at such pace. Everything he does is quick, he is direct and he is a handful. I think there is even more to come from Fashion because he needs a little more composure in front of goal and he needs to mix his game a little bit.

“All defenders are worried about facing guys with pace. He will try to get in behind and defenders hate to be turned and having to run back to their own goal."

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