FASHION SAKALA is learning from one of the best in the business. In time, it could take him to the top of the class at Ibrox.

In Dutch master Roy Makaay, the striker has the perfect mentor and Rangers will continue to reap the rewards of the extra work put in on the training ground to bring Sakala up to scratch.

Six goals from 25 appearances this season represents a solid start to life in Light Blue for the Zambian but the flashes - either fine finishes or electrifying attacking moments - point to the potential that is within.

It is Makaay that boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has tasked with helping Sakala, and fellow forwards Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten, bring out the best in themselves this term.

With Morelos away on international duty and Roofe and Itten getting back up to speed after returning to the Rangers fold, Sakala has an opportunity to rise to prominence in the coming fixtures.

But the collective achievement will always outweigh the individual awards at Ibrox as Rangers prepare for the visit of Livingston and trips to Ross County and Celtic over the next week.

“It’s always nice to work with people like Roy Makaay," Sakala said. "With his experience, I’ve been learning a lot.

“He is always there for me, giving me individual sessions after training - shooting, dribbling, stuff like that.

"I’m having a very good time with him and I’m very happy to have him in my career.

“It’s a great honour to work with those kind of people and I believe I will learn a lot from him.

“We are always there to push each other in training and games. Whether you are on the bench or starting, the good thing is we are always there to motivate and encourage each other.

“That’s what I like about us as a group of strikers. We don’t really do things as a competition, but we all try to work together and help the team.

“It’s very important for us to deliver. It’s always sad when some players are not part of the squad.

“We will miss him (Morelos) for sure, he is a special player for us. But we have to deliver. It is our time and we have to help the team and get the result.”

The loss of Morelos is undoubtedly a blow for Van Bronckhorst. While Rangers are attempting to take steps towards the Premiership title, the Colombian has World Cup aspirations as he prepares for fixtures with Peru and Argentina.

The meeting with Livingston is first on the agenda this evening and a fourth win of the campaign over the Lions would get Rangers back on track following their draw with Aberdeen seven days ago.

“I think it’s always sad when you don’t have the full squad," Sakala said of the absence of Morelos, who leads the scoring charts with 13 goals to his credit at Ibrox this term. "It’s always nice when you have the full squad, when we have all prepared for the game.

“But at the same I have to accept the situation and be ready for the game. I think we are all ready and prepared for the game.

“We are all prepared to give the boss what he wants and to get the result that the fans want. We are all ready for the fight.

“We have to keep on doing what we have been doing. I don’t think we need to change too much.

“Other teams we have played in the past, they are always doing the same thing, playing with the low block. We need to keep on dribbling, getting the ball out wide and getting shots on goal.

“We just keep doing what we have been doing. We have good players, high quality players, to get results.”

The news on the international front has been mixed for Rangers in recent days. Morelos jetted out of Glasgow last week, but Joe Aribo has now returned.

Nigeria's early exit from the African Cup of Nations is a welcome boost for the champions and Sakala is pleased to see the playmaker back within Van Bronckhorst's ranks.

Sakala said: “He is one of the most important players for the squad so it will be good to have him back.

“It is sad that they got knocked out, but at the same time it is good news for us.

“We are happy to have him, he is always there for the squad. He is a good guy to have because he is always bringing the positive energy. We know what he will bring to the squad.”

With Morelos on the other side of the world, Sakala now has a chance to rise to prominence in the Rangers attack.

The 24-year-old rounded off the scoring against Stirling Albion on Friday night as he cut in from the left flank and finished emphatically.

It was a goal that highlighted his versatility across the forward line. It also earned him a trip to the barber after a promise to the Ibrox crowd.

Sakala said: “I don’t really have a special position. Whatever position the boss has given me, I’m very comfortable with any position playing as a striker, left winger or right winger.

“Sometimes it is more important to get the chances to play. I’m okay with any position.

“That [goal against Stirling Albion] was special. I promised the fans I would only cut my hair when I scored in 2022, so it was a special goal.

“It was a good motivation to start the new year! I’ve had it cut and I’m looking fresh, I think you can see!"