Rangers legend Hateley praises Joe Aribo's 'happy feet' and urges position move

Joe Aribo celebrates with James Tavernier after scoring to make it 3-0 during a Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Ross County at Ibrox, on January 23, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

The Nigerian international turned on the style to see off Ross County and his third goal was the pick of the bunch against John Hughes’ Highland side.

It drew praise from all quarters including Rangers TV pundit Hateley who urged Aribo to find more attacking areas of the pitch and deliver more wow moments like he did in the first half of Saturday’s win over the Staggies.

Player Ratings: How did Joe Aribo rate in the 5-0 win over Ross County?

“This is where he’s effective for me. He’s got happy feet, he’s got strength and the ability to drop the shoulder, hold a person off and find the back of the net and that’s where he has to be playing - further up the park - tremendous,” said the former Ibrox striker who struck 115 times in two spells at Rangers.

Aribo has contributed five goals and laid on another couple this season and Hateley added: “When he came to the club I thought he had so much to offer offensively, but tries to pick up the ball too deep and gets himself involved when it’s deep. He’s just got to get into areas.”

But after gliding past three defenders and leaving goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw helpless, Aribo can kick on, Hateley says.

“You’ll never get tired of watching that goal. That’s the ability the boy’s got and he’s got to believe he can do it, and do it more often.”

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