The two biggest clubs in Scotland will go head to head this Sunday for the chance to clinch the first silverware of the season.
FC Rangers and Celtic will clash on Sunday in the final of the Viaplay Cup at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Zambian striker Fashion Sakala has been speaking to the media ahead of the second old Firm derby of the year.
Sakala revealed in an interview that his home village in Chipata will be glued to the television watching their ‘son’ take to the pitch.
“They’re able to watch every game. They see every game on Rangers TV so before most games, I have a FaceTime with a lot of people in my village,” Sakala said.
“We talk and I help prepare them for the game so they’re excited and happy to watch the boy from the village. They always say it would take years for a player from there to come and play in Europe but there is nothing impossible, as we believe.”
The former Zanaco forward had a torrid start to the season under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.
The Zambian international says he was frustrated with the situation of not having game time but he is happy he is out of it now.
“In the beginning, it was such a frustrating season,” he said.
“I thank God that I recovered from it. I think I went 10 games without playing, I was very frustrated but at the same time, I kept my patience, kept working hard and kept my motivation that one day I will get my chance. In the first game [back after the 10-game absence] I got five minutes, the second 15 and then 30. That was a very good progression for me and showed how hard I worked to get back in the squad.
“For my village looking at me playing every week for Rangers, it means a lot for them to know that nothing is impossible. Because at the beginning of the season, they saw I wasn’t playing and it looked like I might leave.
They have seen that I’m now playing consistently and it has had a big impact on the people. They appreciate it’s not easy to get a position at Rangers as every player is fighting for it so to get it shows how hard I’m working,” The smiling forward added.
Sakala believes he still has a lot to offer to Rangers and was quick to credit current boss Michael Beale for his newly found confidence.
“That meant a lot. I appreciate the former manager, I have nothing to blame him for. I learned a lot from him but the current manager has added more confidence and motivation. I’m just a totally different player from the one when Gio was here,” he said.
“Obviously I know how important the game is when we play against the other mob.”
“I know my potential and I can still do better than what I am doing. To keep on doing well it’s important for me to keep playing. I am just working extra hard and I hope to keep adding value to the team.
“The impact I brought into the last [Old Firm] game was good for the squad but I’m looking for more great performances. We are going to give everything and fight for the win to get the trophy.”
