Aluko has ‘no regrets’ over his decision to move to crisis-hit Ibrox

SONE Aluko claims he has no regrets about his move to Rangers despite the turmoil that has engulfed the stricken club in recent weeks.

The winger arrived at Ibrox in November when his new club were top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and on course for a fourth successive championship.

However, events on the park have been overshadowed by off-field problems since the Glasgow giants were plunged into administration on 14 February and docked ten points by the SPL.

While Celtic celebrated winning the title on Saturday afternoon courtesy of their 6-0 win over Kilmarnock, a huge question mark still remains over the future of Rangers, with liquidation not yet ruled out at this stage.

But, as far as Aluko is concerned, he has no regrets about signing on at Ibrox. Speaking after the 3-1 win over St Mirren, he said: “Of course not, never. I don’t regret things in life generally but the decision to come to Rangers, for me, was a very good decision – one of my best footballing decisions.

“You don’t come here and just expect to win things, other teams are not going to roll over and let you win things. But Rangers will go on and I’m sure we will win more matches in the future.”

Aluko signed initially until the end of the season, with an option of a further two years, and has already been linked with Spanish club Rayo Vallecano following a string of impressive performances.

On his Ibrox future, he said: “We will see at the end of the season. I wouldn’t like to say yes or no or whatever because we can’t tell the future. When it comes to that point, I’ll sit down and talk to them and decide my next step.”

Rangers secured their third win in a row against Saints in a dramatic match that saw their visitors reduced to ten men and referee Willie Collum award four penalties. But Aluko insists the victory at Ibrox was not motivated by Celtic’s title triumph at Kilmarnock.

He said: “If you play for Rangers, you shouldn’t need any extra motivation. You are expected to win games and you are expected to win the league. If you need additional motivation, then you shouldn’t be playing for Rangers.

“I didn’t see the game but I obviously heard that they won the league and credit to them. Their form has been superb since Christmas so it’s well deserved.”

Goals from Lee McCulloch, Andy Little and Kyle Lafferty sealed the win for Rangers as Jeroen Tesselaar saw red for Saints. Paul McGowan’s spot-kick was scant consolation for the Paisley club even though McCulloch and Aluko both missed their own penalties.

Aluko added: “I was trying to get back on it for the third penalty but Lafferty grabbed the ball before me!

“He put it away and that’s what you have to do when you take a penalty. With my one, I put a bit more on it and it hit the post.

“It happens sometimes. You just try to put it to the back of your mind. I just thought I would try to get a goal or create a goal and make up for it.

“The referee made brave decisions because I thought they were penalties. Some referees might think ‘No, I’m not going to give this one as I’ve already given three’. But I thought he made the correct decisions.”