Rangers’ go-to man Joe Aribo taking recent praise in his stride

Ibrox midfielder flattered by comments from Darren Fletcher and Brian Laudrup

Joe Aribo missed Rangers' draw with Livingston due to injury. Picture: SNS

It would be understandable if Joe Aribo suddenly felt weighed down by the onus being placed on his shoulders. In the wake of his injury absence from Rangers’ line-up as they laboured in Livingston last weekend, the 24-year-old is being presented as the Ibrox club’s go-to man for making things happen in this monumental season. By no less than Brian Laudrup and Darren Fletcher, indeed. Yet the attacking midfielder seems able to take it in his stride.

“It’s always good to hear comments and praise from people I watched growing up. Just knowing they have a high opinion of me is quite nice,” said the player, recruited from Charlton last summer.

“I watched Darren Fletcher as a boy so it’s always a big boost for me to hear that from someone like him. Funnily enough, I supported Man United growing up. So I enjoyed watching Fletcher and always supported him. He was a main player in the team that I liked. And I’m aware of Brian Laudrup’s standing at Rangers. Hearing praise from Laudrup is amazing for me.

“I’m just happy that I’m able to show what I can do on the pitch at Rangers.

“The way I play, it’s a normal thing for me to create on the pitch. I’m a player that likes to open the door, to open defences and move people about. That’s normal for me but it’s nice having that feeling that I have to be one of the men to do it. Of course, I’m going to thrive on that, constantly.”

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