Fashion Sakala was a noticeable absence in yesterday’s Glasgow Rangers opening game of the season against Kilmarnock at the Rugby Park stadium.
Sakala, 26 has already been told he won’t have a future at Ibrox for the upcoming season, and his absence from the team is due to transfer discussion with Saudi Arabian club Al-Fayha.
Sakala’s absence from Rangers’ League debut was justified, according to manager Michael Beale, so that he could negotiate transfer negotiations.
The Chipolopolo striker was not present in their inaugural match against Kilmarnock, according to Beale, as he is about to leave the team.
“I have a fantastic relationship with Fashion,”-Beale.
Despite the forced move away from the club, Beale maintained that he had a fantastic relationship with Sakala.
“He is a boy and a player that I have a fantastic relationship with but sometimes in football these things happen, an opportunity comes up and you discuss it with the player and from there something can happen,” he explained.
Some sections of the media reported last week that the Zambian international had turned down an option to join the Saudi Arabian League team Al-Fayha.
Sakala made 91 appearances for Rangers and scored 39 times since arriving at Rangers on a free transfer from Belgian outfit KV Oostende.
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Meanwhile, Rangers suffered a 1-0 opening day defeat at Kilmarnock as a second half Brad Lyons goal was enough to condemn Rangers to their first opening day defeat since 1998.