Rangers manager Steven Gerrard raved about Joe Aribo following Rangers’ stunning Europa League 3-2 comeback win over Braga, as captured by RangersTV.
Aribo was one of several players heavily criticised by supporters following the damaging recent league defeat to Kilmarnock, but he was outstanding on Thursday night.
The Gers boss left the Nigeria international out of his starting XI, instead opting for Glen Kamara. Yet, he turned to Aribo off the bench in the 54th minute.
Braga scored their second goal shortly after his introduction, but the 23-year-old then played a major role in the comeback, scoring a wonderful solo goal to level the scores at 2-2.
He even played the final 20 minutes as a makeshift left-back, deputising for the injured Barisic.
“I absolutely loved Joe Aribo tonight,” said Gerrard after the game, as captured by RangersTV. “For a couple of reasons.”
“Because he didn’t sulk when he was left out of the XI, he was positive in the dressing room. When I asked him to come on and do a job, he was super ready, he was more than ready.”
“He epitomised everything that we were about in the second half. He played out of position, he played in more than one position, but never complained and got on with it and he had a massive, outstanding contribution tonight.
“I’m so proud of him, I’ll have a bit of Joe Aribo anywhere I go.”
This was high praise from the manager, after a performance which showed just why he sought to bring Aribo in from Charlton in the summer.
The London-born player showed major quality, but also great discipline and heart to contribute to a comeback which has given the Gers a genuine chance of progression to the last 16.
He now has eight goals and eight assists for the Gers in all competitions.
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