Joe Aribo reveals reason behind success with Rangers
Rangers star midfielder Joe Aribo has revealed that playing in different positions helped him grow as a player.
The 25-year-old was the star performer for the Gers in the recently concluded campaign where the Scottish side ended up as the runners-up in the Europa League.
Aribo, while talking to BBC Africa, suggested that he is no longer the kind of player he was in the past who used to doubt his own abilities.
“Funnily enough I was always this shy player with doubts in my own ability,” he said. “But now I have self-belief because I have the right people around me to give me that confidence to say ‘Yes, you’re the man that’s going to take on the game and change the game’.
“Some people like to take centre stage in everything they do in life, but I prefer to stay in the background and let others talk about my performance on the pitch.
“Playing in different positions has helped me realise what I’m capable of doing and also given me an opportunity to keep growing.
“As a young footballer craving a chance to play, you’d grab the chance to even play in goal. But here I am being asked to play for my club in different roles on the pitch, I was happy to do it.
“I must say I am no longer the player I was after going through that phase [of self-doubt].
“I am grateful to the manager for the trust, my team-mates for believing in me and supporting me.”
Looking Ahead
You only need to look at the numbers Aribo has produced in the recently concluded season because they speak for themselves.
The 25-year-old played 70 games for club and country in the recently concluded season, making it the highest number of appearances by any player across Europe. 57 of those appearances came for Rangers in 2021-22 [Whoscored].
In the Premiership, the Nigeria international scored eight goals and provided six assists across 31 appearances for the club [Transfermarkt]
The priority of the London-born midfielder is always to play in the central midfield. However, his incredibly dribbling and ball-carrying ability allows him to occupy both sides of the wings.
He is the kind of midfielder that likes to bring all the defenders toward him and open spaces for his attackers.
After the injury of Ianis Hagi in the middle of the season, it was Aribo who remained the most potent attacking threat for the Gers in the second half of the season.
In other Rangers news, a Champions League club is closing in on a deal for this Ibrox star.