Joe Aribo today underlined just why it would be a devastation for Rangers to lose him any time soon, after the Nigeria international stepped up once again with another stunning display, to cement his place as Rangers’ best overall player this season.

The former Charlton man is hitting unexpected heights at Ibrox this term, and has especially benefited from the coaching of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who of course knows a thing or two about attacking midfield work.

If we just look at the number of times Hearts had to haul him down, 4, no one else on the pitch was taken that many times, and it owed a lot to the danger the 25-year put the hosts under.

His early run where he nearly connected with a lobbed forward ball was a sign of things to come, and having failed to heed the warning, Hearts were left exposed when Connor Goldson chipped beautifully an assist over the defence for the onrushing Aribo.

The finish, of course, was a thing of beauty as the big man took it down wonderfully and dispatched it even better, to make it 0-2 in a superb double-whammy which put Rangers in control.

In truth, Aribo’s passing was pretty average overall, just 70% accuracy, it’s what he’s doing with the ball which is gaining attention.

If those reports from Nigeria are true, (albeit Ibrox Noise sources are not aware of them being so), Rangers need to work hard to convince Aribo his future is at Ibrox.

In fairness the CL is a big carrot but so is the PL, and if Brentford, Palace and Watford want him, he’s got a decision to make.

Let’s hope it’s the right one.