Southampton boss Nathan Jones reacts to mooted Joe Aribo Rangers return
Joe Aribo making a sensational Rangers return looks to be off the table after Nathan Jones shot down the idea in his Southampton press conference.
The Nigerian international midfielder departed Ibrox in the summer to move to the Premier League for an initial £6million, but after a decent start to the season he has fallen out of favour and remained on the bench for the previous two league fixtures.
That has raised the suggestion that he could be sent back to Glasgow, with the Light Blues looking to sign a midfielder in Nicolas Raskin, but Jones appears to have ended that prospect.
The Saints boss said on Friday (27 January) ahead of their FA Cup game against Blackpool when asked directly about the possibility, as per the Daily Record: “Joe is someone I want to keep here. I like Joe, Joe is definitely someone I’d like to be here. He’s been a bit unlucky not to play since Palace but that will change.”
Homecoming
It always seemed unlikely so unless there is a dramatic change of direction in the final days of the window the back-to-back appearances in the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals last season will be his last contributions in a Rangers shirt.
With Standard Liege apparently playing hardball for a player who has no prospect of having an impact in the second half of the season, Raskin is proving trickier than probably necessary to bring in.
So if Aribo was completely on the outs on the south coast of England a short-term loan might make sense to both the player and the clubs.
But it has only missed two games and Jones has backed him so fans can probably now rule out the chances of a return for the man whose goal looked like it might bring European glory back in May.
Michael Beale obviously has a familiarity with him, but while he has been pretty open about who he is interested in this month there hasn’t been any talk from the manager about Aribo.
The final days of the window are sure to be busy behind the scenes as the club look to add to Todd Cantwell before the deadline.
In other Rangers news, a long-awaited return for one forgotten Bears ace has left the manager delighted ahead of St Johnstone.