Former coach thinks Rangers’ Joe Aribo won’t be intimidated at Ibrox

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Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo struggled in his last appearance at Ibrox.

Former Staines Town youth coach Mark Fabian has told the Daily Record that he doesn’t think Rangers’ Joe Aribo will be intimidated by the Ibrox crowd.

Aribo, 23, impressed last season with 10 goals and five assists for Charlton Athletic, helping them win promotion back to the Championship.

However, with his contract expiring on June 30^th, a number of clubs were pushing to sign him, but it was Rangers who ended up winning the race for his signature.

Rangers paid minimal compensation to lure him to Ibrox as a non-English club, and Aribo has certainly shown glimpses of his quality.

With four goals in 12 games for Rangers, Aribo is already showing he can be a goalscoring midfield player, but he was criticised recently.

Aribo was bizarrely played as a winger against Celtic and turned in a disappointing display, even struggling to hit top form when put back into his usual midfield role.

Rangers fans took to Twitter to slate Aribo’s display, with some worried that the step up in expectations from Charlton to Rangers may just be too much for the midfielder.

Now though, Aribo’s former youth coach Fabian has suggested that Aribo won’t be intimidated by the Ibrox crowd, and they will take to him due to his effort in every game, backing him to deal with big games for the Gers.

“I’m not surprised Rangers fans have taken to him,” said Fabian. “I have spoken to him a few times and he is loving it and seems to have settled quickly. I know the Old Firm game didn’t go the way he or Rangers would have wanted but it would have been a huge experience for him and it will stand him in good stead. I have no doubt he will cope with the pressure of playing for Rangers. Joe’s got a great mentality and he’s played in big games in huge atmospheres.”

“He played play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley last year and looked comfortable on that stage. He won’t be intimidated by playing at Ibrox every other week. The fans will take to him because he gives 100 percent every time he goes on to the pitch,” he added.