Joe Aribo must be taken off at half-time after first-half horror show in Rangers clash v St Johnstone
Rangers may be 1-0 up at the break thanks to an early goal by Glen Kamara but what a turgid first half that was against St Johnstone.
The Saints are one of the worst teams in Scotland this season yet we really failed to get a grip on the game and show them – and Celtic – why we are serious contenders for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
While some players did do well in that first half, there were a number who were nowhere near good enough and one of them was Joe Aribo.
What on earth has happened to the 25-year-old midfielder?
Aribo was arguably one of the best players for Giovanni van Bronckhorst prior to the winter break, in which the Nigerian jetted out of Scotland to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
But from what we’ve seen since, it’s as though Aribo didn’t bother getting the plane back.
In his six Scottish Premiership games since returning from AFCON, Aribo has scored one goal and supplied one assist.
Before his stint with Nigeria, Aribo went on a run of scoring four goals and supplying three assists in eight games.
We’re not sure what it is with Aribo but based on his first-half performance against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park tonight, he may need a rest and van Bronckhorst should take him off at half-time.
Aribo was anonymous and when he did get a chance to do something in the penalty area after a great bit of play by Alfredo Morelos, the ex-Charlton man completely wasted possession.
Fashion Sakala is on the bench and looked lively for large spells against Motherwell on Sunday so we’d like to see the Zambia international come on and replace Aribo.
In other Rangers news, there’s been a major update on the Gers’ bid to sign this “fantastic” new player in the summer.