Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo has been heavily criticised by Nigerian outlet Pulse after the Super Eagles crashed out of 2022 World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Ghana. Pulse handed the Ibrox man a 3/10 rating.
Aribo, 25, has been a regular for Rangers this season – already clocking up a huge 45 appearances in all competitions for the Gers. He has had a hand in 15 goals, scoring seven goals and laying on eight in assists for Rangers.
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Such form has made him a regular with Nigeria, clocking up his 17th cap for his country on Tuesday night. It was a hugely-important clash, needing a win to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.
But the game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Thomas Partey scoring for Arsenal. William Troost-Ekong equalised with a penalty but Nigeria failed to capitalise. Pulse hugely criticised the Rangers midfielder after the match.
Rating Aribo 3/10, Pulse reported: “On a bumpy, uneven surface, Aribo looked leggy and inconsequential. Simply could not create separation from his marker at any point. When he did receive in space his touch was heavy.”
Nigerian media on Aribo: Rangers star capable of much better
But it is not a one-off. Aribo’s form has dipped of late. The Rangers midfielder scored six goals in his initial 19 league games, laying on four assists. In the next 12, he has only scored one and created two.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is likely to start Aribo – along with Nigeria teammates Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey – against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday. But he will be tasked with getting a big game out of him.
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