Fashion Sakala's pace would perhaps give Celtic more of an issue - but the chances of him playing as Rangers' number nine this weekend has left the pundits split.
The first of three derbies this Spring get underway this weekend at Parkhead in a pressure cooker clash. Ange Postecoglou's hosts are nine points in front in the league and anything other than a win for Michael Beale's visitors would all but end the Premiership title race as a competitive contest. Rangers will need to bring their A-game against a side who've dropped four points all season and who plays in the striker role has been discussed extensively.
Alternatives to Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos have been debated in the build-up and the latest is Sakala. The Zambian has impressed under Beale and former Celtic defender Mark Wilson reckons he would be more of a threat to centre-back pairing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt. with his pace. But not everyone agreed, as he kicked off on Superscoreboard: "I actually said on Saturday that I wondered whether Rangers would go for Sakala. They have tried Colak, Morelos, not much joy.
"For a bit of pace and to stretch Celtic, I can see Michael Beale going with Sakala through the middle. And if I am honest, I think Carter-Vickers and Starfelt would find that more difficult than Colak and Morelos through the middle, from what I have seen in these games previously.
"Carter Vickers and Starfelt, quite happy to play against Morelos and battle away. But when you are a defender playing against out and out pace, that is a different story."
But fellow pundit Gordon Dalziel - who scored for Rangers during this fixture in his playing days - was having none of it. He pointed to a European night as his reason why, with Sakala having played that role at points in their run to the Europa League final last season.
Dalziel responded: "Not for me. I remember watching when they went for that formation with Sakala up front as a lone striker, I think it was in Europe, he was terrible, can't play that position, but I see the method.
"I do not think he would start as the number nine. I think he will go with Colak or Morelos."
