The 24-year-old scored in Well’s 4-1 Scottish Premiership defeat by the reigning champions and league leaders on Sunday.
Nottingham Forest winger Gboly Ariyibi was loaned out to Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in January and he has got off the mark for his temporary club against none other than reigning champions and current leaders Celtic on Sunday.
The former United States youth international, 24, joined the City Ground outfit on 31 January 2017, being signed by then caretaker manager Gary Brazil following the player’s departure from Chesterfield.
To this day, however, Ariyibi has not made a single senior appearance for the Reds, according to his playing history on Transfermarkt, and previously spent time on loan at MK Dons and Northampton Town.
The deal to take the player to Fir Park was confirmed by Motherwell on 7 January and, since joining, he has made seven appearances in all competitions, finally breaking his deadlock – away at the league’s dominant team, no less.
The goal itself proved somewhat controversial, however, as it came about as the Hoops were expecting the ball to be returned to them after Ryan Christie went down with an injury.
Well’s 18-year-old forward James Scott broke up the field and took a shot which was parried by Hoops goalkeeper Scott Bain into the path of Ariyibi, who then slotted home on the rebound.
Aside from the goal, Ariyibi has already enjoyed plenty of game time under Well boss Steve Robinson, having featured in every available game for the Lanarkshire side so far (Transfermarkt).
The American is contracted to Forest until June 2020 and although he hasn’t had much luck at the City Ground so far, Martin O’Neill – who joined the club after the player had already left – could well decide to have a closer look at him in the summer depending on how well he does north of the border.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
