If there’s one man who has been quietly standing out in recent times for Rangers in the kind of way we’ve been waiting for, it’s Nigeria’s Joe Aribo.
The former Charlton man, who will consider himself a little unfortunate to have been removed, was probably Rangers’ most effective outfield player tonight, with a frankly superb showing particularly in the second half.
Aribo has really changed since that superb performance v Utd – he’s looked more confident, he’s coming for the ball more, and he’s been showing the kind of gumption he perhaps used to lack.
In short, he’s been extremely effective for this club in recent weeks, and tonight, if not for ‘that’ save by Allan McGregor, he’d have been an outstanding candidate for MOTM.
We’re seeing the Joe Aribo we were led to believe he was when we signed him, but it’s felt like he’s just taken his own time to adjust to this team, this league, and this manager’s style of play.
While his performance lacked a goal tonight, Aribo did everything else – almost everything went through him in the second half, and he enjoyed a much more obvious ‘trequartista’ role, as the Italians would say.
That is, the dangerous freedom behind the front men to use the ball, shield it, dribble it, supply the wings and generally supply the striker.
He was just a stand out, and he looks like the confidence is growing from him every passing match.
He’s not especially quick, agile or good in the air despite his frame, but his comfort zone is the ball at his feet, making things happen and doing so with precision and power.
His display shows he can absolutely mix it at this level, and on this path, Aribo is quickly becoming one of Rangers’ most valuable assets.
Joe was superb 2nd half he showed exactly what we have in Joe Aribo he was direct strong and showed no fear or lack of conviction. I know we can win the next time and go to the final .. Can I also mention young Patterson who was totally shell shocked 1st half . He put in a another great performance in the 2nd half given his age experience and whole current position and who he is deputising for.
First half Joe Aribo looked like a rabbit in the headlights as he often does in the big matches. Clearly someone got in his ear at half time because he was transformed in the second half, helped I think by having him play further up the pitch before moving him into the front 3. I was puzzled why we took him off and we stopped as an attacking force when we did so. So come on Joe believe in yourself a bit more. At your best you are a special talent and almost unstoppable.
Aribo was excellent at the start of this season too before his injury. Once he’s come back it’s taken a while to get going again but we are seeing the best of him again! On his day he’s unplayable.
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