Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says Joe Aribo’s performance on his international debut for Nigeria against Ukraine is a vindication of his early success in the Scottish club, Completesports.com reports.
Aribo scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria in the 2-2 draw – an international friendly match at the Dnipro Arena on Tuesday.
The midfielder has been a key performer for Rangers since his switch from Charlton Athletics this summer and he proved his quality with another impressive display for the Super Eagles against the Ukrainians.
“I just spoke to Joe. He’s in a fantastic place, smiling away,” Gerrard told a news conference on Thursday.
“Congratulations to him. His first game he manages to get a goal and he was rewarded for his form as a Rangers player.
“It was his first call-up, so it shows you he’s at the right place, he’s playing football at the right level; European football, playing in Old Firms.. at last he’s being recognised as an international player.
“He was rewarded with his first game and gets his first goal so he should be in a great place.”
Gerrard also claimed Aribo would have been overlooked by Nigeria had he stuck with Charlton in England’s second-tier.
“Joe Aribo is in the right place, trust me,”he added.
“He (Gernot Rohr) must have started watching him since he was playing at Rangers.
By Adeboye Amosu
4 Comments
“Joe Aribo is in the right place, trust me,”he added.
“He (Gernot Rohr) must have started watching him since he was playing at Rangers.very very true. The coach sometimes places emphasis on where you are playing. The key word here is SOMETIMES. But when you are a very special player or you need to plug a deficiency in his team (like the case of Jamilu Collins last season in German second division) he will still look your way but over all, what G Rohr is doing is to add quality to what he has and not just invite a player for the sake of it. The case of Ramon Azeez for instance, comes to mind. The German likes tall, strong but flexible players in defensive areas but if you are not tall, but you have the immense skill to add value(like etebo who can play across the midfield zone and still occasionally try his luck upfield, you will get a look in. Ramon Azeez would have been invited but I think the issue of what he brings to the table and what they currently have right now, becomes a huge hindrance to inviting him yet unless he adds to his game but if he continues with his last performance last week, it will take a man of steel to ignore that kind of performance. It was barnstorming and took his goal so well. On the whole, I have been smiling sheepishly at myself ever since I realized that chukwueze is about to be reunited in attack with long leg Osimhen. Those two were a terror for defenders in their under 17 days. If kalu continues in his current form, and Iwobi finally grows into that creative midfielder that will supplant the amount of chances his uncle ever created, eagles will be too hot to handle and the first 11 will not be too easy to predict by any opposite coach
You said it all @joelchidi, Rohr is on the look out for more quality to fortify his team and his call up of players is justified by the performance of the lads.
More players will be added to the team soon with the likes of Kingsley ehizibue(Koln), Fikayo tomori(Chelsea), Ademola lookman(Leipzig) touted as the next to be integrated to the team. Also the likes of eze(qpr) and ejaria are making a case for theirselve in the championship with breath taking performances so far but need to sustain their form to attract the teams scouting network.
Also I urge Rohr to excuse the duo of Simon Moses and Ahmed Musa from the team.the duo have been below par of late and as well down the pecking order in the flanks judging by the enormous quality the team boast of in that position.
Rohr so far is on the verge of assembling a formidable team that can go on to conquer African football in years to come if the average age of the team is put into consideration. The future is bright for the super eagles!
Rohr just need tatically discipline team. .dey will be betterDan 94.team
I concur with u @joel.
If you as me, I’ll say Nigeria starting “11” against Ukraine is almost perfect.
I love the force in attack just like Liverpool Attack.
With Aribo in midfield,wonderful!.. hardly miss Ndidi.
I think in defence we’ve to look out for more players to get a perfect starting “11” that will rule Africa for a long time…my opinion