Steven Gerrard says Rangers are reaping the rewards of the ‘real’ Joe Aribo after netting a stunning goal in Sunday’s 4-1 win against Dundee United.
Aribo was instrumental in win over Dundee United as Gerrard’s side took another step towards their first league title in a decade.
It the latest in a line of cultured and classy performances from the playmaker that was capped with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
Aribo was a big miss for Rangers during a prolonged injury lay-off earlier in the season but continues to show his worth at Ibrox after also scoring in the win over Royal Antwerp in midweek.
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And speaking about his performance returning from injury, Gerrard said: “In terms of Joe, the real Aribo is back now. At the beginning of the season he suffered the first injury of his career and as someone who has experienced that myself, it’s a big shock to the system.
“I think he took his time returning from that in terms of getting his power, strength and bursts of energy that he plays with back.
“He had an illness on the back of that injury so it became a three month absence and that always takes time to get back up to speed.
“But now you see the real Aribo. Power, strength, bursts from midfield and skills – and now letting shots go because he’s got the quality. It was a fantastic strike and he’s back for real now.
“I think Joe found it hard himself because [the injury] was new to him.
“It was the first time he’d suffered an injury longer than a couple of weeks.
“That’s a shock to the system. I think he was wondering why he couldn’t just roll back up and be perfect from the off. It doesn’t work like that.
“It’s a process of getting training volume in the legs, doing weights in the gym to get your strength back and then training each day to improve your fitness levels and your lung capacity.
“It’s only a matter of time but he just needed guiding through that first injury.
“I think the sports science guys did a great job getting him fit – but then he had to get football fit and then get his feel back.
“But he’s been absolutely fantastic in this latest run of games and he’s contributing really well. He’s a fantastic talent, great to work with, low maintenance.”
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COMMENTS
This guy is really doing very well for Rangers and himself…
He will surely be saying bye to Rangers for a pastures new and higher sooner than later.
Keep it up Joe.
We Nigerian will never blame on your performance with the super eagles back home because our pitches are nothing to write home about.
It is high time the NFF got to know that while bringing players from abroad to dorn the national colours you also need not to politicise the playing turf in order for them to thrive.
Joe Aribo is far better than Mikel Agu.
With all these talented players that we have, we need to put them on a good surface so they can showcase their skills. Aribo’s best games for Nigeria so far were his first two against Ukraine and Brazil, and both were on excellent pitches. The matches he’s played on our pitches have seen him produce below par performances. It is shameful that a country of Nigeria’s standing in world football can’t guarantee that it’s national teams will have good pitches to play on. Shameful and stunning.
Left to this NFF, our boys will be playing their matches on the coal tarred streets. If the street is not tarred, NFF will overlay it with palm kernel or even periwinkle shells and ask our boys to play on them! When our boys get injured, they are then left on their own to carry the wahala. They go back to their clubs, the clubs nurse them back to health and fitness, and here come Nigeria again with invitations.
The boys want to play for Nigeria. Help them by giving them the tools they need. A good pitch for starters!