Former Rangers star Joe Aribo has admitted that the adjustment to life at Southampton has been pretty difficult this season.
The Gers lost a couple of key players after the stunning run to the Europa League final last season.
Sadly, Aribo was one of them as he followed Calvin Bassey out of Ibrox.
Southampton struck a deal worth £6million rising to £10million for Aribo, who was into the final year of his Rangers contract.
Aribo’s exit was a big blow, especially after seeing him score in that Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Snapped up from Charlton Athletic in 2019, Aribo bagged 26 goals an 25 assists in 148 games for Rangers.
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A return to England always felt likely one day but Aribo hasn’t really kicked on since leaving Ibrox.
Joe Aribo comments on Southampton situation
Aribo has been struggling for playing time on the South Coast.
The 26-year-old has started 11 Premier League games and come off the bench in another eight.
Yet since the end of January, Aribo has only played 11 minutes in the Premier League and seems to be down the packing order under Ruben Selles.
It’s a surprise that such a struggling team isn’t making more use of a quality player like Aribo but Selles just doesn’t seem convinced.
Aribo has been on international duty with Nigeria and has now spoken about his situation with Southampton.
The former Rangers favourite told Elegbete TV Sports that his absence is down to Selles’ decision and not an injury.
Aribo added that it’s ‘difficult’ to go from being such a key player for Rangers to barely featuring for Southampton.
Aribo is keeping the faith though and believes he is just going through growing pains in the Premier League.
“It is the coach’s decision. I think every single coach has their own opinion on things. For me I’m not really too fussed or too fazed because it’s processes. For me it’s growing pains, so I just need to be patient and just wait on God’s timing which is perfect.”
“Of course, it is difficult. For any normal human it will be difficult. For me, I don’t let that affect me too much. I’m pretty strong-minded so how I deal with disappointment, I kind of use it to charge me and just try and improve the best that I can. It’s God’s plan, at the end of the day I shouldn’t stress, I should just walk with faith,” he added.