Rangers star Joe Aribo might’ve been one of the players of the season in the first half of the campaign, but his lacklustre showing against Celtic summed up why a summer exit could beckon.
Lacking the necessary fight, hunger and execution to deliver for our club at this level, Joe Aribo might have all the talent in the world but questions remain over his stomach for the fight.
This isn’t about scapegoating any one player for what was a woeful result against our Old Firm rivals, Aribo being one of several who huffed, puffed and eventually ran out of ideas to break Celtic down.
But rather it’s about examining the reasons why the 25-year-old midfielder has toiled as of late and why in this match in particular, he routinely goes missing.
Especially considering just how important a player he is considered by the club.
In a woeful display, far from take any responsibility in hauling the Gers back into the match, it felt like Joe Aribo let the game pass him by and too often hid on the field of play.
Joe Aribo fails to impress in disappointing Rangers defeat to Celtic
Rangers need players who are fully focused and fully committed in order to get titles over the line and Aribo’s lacklustre and uninspired performance, amongst many others, let the supporters down badly.
The league has now all but been surrendered and in the second half, even with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst somehow sticking with him, Joe Aribo played a big role in meekly doing this.
When players like Alfredo Morelos are out of the team, you need the likes of Aribo to stand up and be counted and unfortunately for much of this game he was posted missing.
Everything was half-hearted, there was no self belief, moves broke down via the midfielder with a whimper and it’s how his Rangers career is threatening to bow out.
Like so many in the squad – and with his contract entering its final year in the summer – questions are now being asked whether the summer is time to bid the relationship adieu.
Joe Aribo is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the Rangers squad, but when you can’t back that up with bite, responsibility and intensity, it only stands to go to waste and without this, mediocrity beckons.
Premier League Crystal Palace are one of a number of clubs who’ve been linked to Joe Aribo in recent seasons with a £10m price tag mooted in the press.
