Rangers made it eight wins in their first nine competitive fixtures of the season with their 3-0 League Cup win over East Fife earlier today (Match Report – Daily Record).

Summer signing Joe Aribo has instantly settled into this Gers set-up and he looks to be a terrific signing. The young midfielder is a constant attacking threat and he also wins the ball in dangerous positions.

The twenty-three year old has played in eight occasions so far for the Light Blues and has contributed with four goals, he notched up today’s final strike.

Whenever the ball goes out wide to one of the wingers or if the main striker has possession of the ball, Aribo has the fantastic timing to pick his runs to get into the box or beyond the lone number nine. The midfielder also has a pretty good engine and that makes things hard for the opposition as he’s constantly running into dangerous positions.

He’s managed to score with both feet and from either side of the pitch too, which shows us that he’s a versatile performer. Aribo seems to like low placed shots and often takes those efforts as early as possible, giving goalkeepers less time to prepare.

The player is also very comfortable with the ball at his feet, he has the skills to beat opponents and he doesn’t hide from a pass!

It’s funny to think that his former Charlton Athletic gaffer Lee Bowyer was very dismissive of Aribo’s move to Scotland and even slated the player’s choice:

“I worked so hard to get him to this situation he is in now,”

“It is about progression for him. So it’s a shame if he gets pushed to somewhere where it is not going to benefit him in his football career.” 

“If he goes to Rangers that is not the right place for him to go for his football career.”

“When people from England go and play for Celtic and Rangers it is at the end of their careers. That’s because it is very rare you get a move from Rangers to the Premier League, and I don’t mean any disrespect by that.” 

Via Talksport

But let’s look at Aribo’s first eight games, five of those were in the Europa League and he’s grabbed three goals in that competition.

At Rangers he’ll be challenged to win every single game and go after every trophy that the team are competing for. You don’t get that in the English Championship or at a lower level Premier League side. You should never underestimate the winning mentality you get when you’re asked to play for one of the Glasgow giants.

Bowyer also suggests that players don’t go from Ibrox to the England’s top flight. That might have been the case during Gers years working their way back to Scottish Premiership but before that many a player would make that particular move.

Looking at the Premier League this year; you’ve got players like Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Kenny McLean, John Fleck and John McGinn who Rhave all done well after coming down from Scotland. So scouts are definitely coming to Scottish stadia.

The exciting midfielder has also received his first call-up for the Nigerian international side after just a few appearances for Rangers.

To be fair Bowyer did say that he could see why Joe would want to work under Gers boss Steven Gerrard.

The former Liverpool captain was one of England’s best box to box midfielders and Aribo will only learn playing under a manager that’s has all the experience of playing in the same position.

Gerrard singled Joe Aribo for praise after yet another great performance for the Light Blues today:

“Everyone will go away talking about Joe Aribo and rightly so. I am not sure how many good players have been at this stadium but I don’t think you will see many better than Joe.”

“He was outstanding from start to finish. He looked superb all day. He has four goals in eight games but it isn’t just about that it is about your all round performances.”

“Top players turn up anywhere, it doesn’t matter if it is in front of 50,000, or 1,500, your standards are always the same and from day one Joe has done that.”

Via The Herald

Gerrard clearly admires that Aribo gives 100% no matter the opposition. The Gers gaffer is a manager that values consistency and work ethic beyond anything else and Joe gives him both in spades.

Yes the midfielder will come up against tougher opposition and more strenuous challenges as the season goes on but he’s fast becoming a fan favourite and looks to be a player that will thrive under the pressure of producing week in and week out!

Posted on August 18th, 2019 by scott
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