“Alfredo who?” – is new star born at Ibrox? | OneFootball

And as we alluded earlier, just when Cedric Itten finally looks ready and thinks he’s getting the start v Livi, Zambian firecracker Fashion Sakala shows up to rain on the Swiss parade.

We can rarely remember such a promising and lively debut in our colours from a player as alien to our culture as the African would be – but then going by his media interviews and attitude since being at Ibrox, it’s absolutely no surprise.

Sakala had about as good a debut as it’s possible to have – while manager Steven Gerrard was right to say there’s polishing to be done, and we always add the prefix of ‘it was only a friendly’, nevertheless the ex-Oostende striker really was everywhere.

We knew before we saw him that this is a player who can play anywhere along the front three, and he showed that versatility brilliantly yesterday with positional variety and interchanging with Kent and Wright.

But it was that movement off the ball and the ability to run at pace with the ball that stood out, even more so than his magical goal, something which dragged defenders out of place and gave space to the others around him. Sound familiar?

Indeed, some Real fans were so impressed they half-jokingly advocated signing the striker on that one showing.

And it was good.

Of course, let’s not jump to conclusions, it ‘was only a friendly’ but it’s better to play as well as that and look as good as that than not to, regardless of the match in question.

And Sakala has quickly ingratiated himself already as a fan favourite.

Poor Cedric!