Steven Gerrard was blown away by Rangers star Joe Aribo during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Livingston [RangersTV].
With Borna Barisic injured and Calvin Bassey suspended, the Gers were without a recognised left-back and in advance of the game, Gerrard refused to reveal the identity of the player who would be asked to fill in.
There was always a fair chance it would be Aribo, though, given that he impressed there during a Europa League Round of 32 clash against Braga last season.
When the team was announced in the build-up to kick-off, the Nigeria international’s selection in the role prompted a mixed reaction from fans, but he was superb.
Aribo looked comfortable defensively for the vast majority of the game, winning headers and showing good positional awareness. He also contributed plenty in attack and produced a key pass in the build-up to the third goal.
After the game, Gerrard waxed lyrical about the 24-year-old’s display.
“What can I say about Joe Aribo?” he began [RangersTV]. “I tell you what I’ll say about him – good players can play football, top players can play anywhere on the football pitch.”
“A manager can ask a player to do a role and good players can do some and they can’t do some, but Joe Aribo’s a top player, so whatever I ask him to do he goes out and gives it his best shot.
“He’s my man of the match tonight. Just because, if you think about it, he’s a no.10 and he’s just been so comfortable at left-back and cruised it and breezed it. That left-back performance is as good as I’ve seen in my three years that I’ve been here, so well done to him for parking his ego and doing a fantastic job for his teammates.”
That is high praise indeed from the manager, particularly given how consistently outstanding Borna Barisic has been at left-back.
Aribo hasn’t nailed down a single position in the Rangers XI but he’s been key to the team’s success this season, racking up 41 appearances, scoring eight goals and notching seven assists.
In other news, Rangers are reportedly monitoring a ‘decisive’ 10-assist winger.
