Former Stoke City midfielder and Scotland international, Kris Commons, has suggested a false nine role for Rangers’ midfielder, Joe Aribo, in the Gers’ next Europa League game because of the Nigerian’s fine technical ability and touch on the ball, Completesports.com reports.
Rangers stiker Kemar Roofe is injured and the Giovanni Christiaan van Bronckhorst’s men prepare to take on Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig, in their Europa Cup semi-final first leg match at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig on Thursday.
Commons, writing in The Scottish Daily Mail, suggests that Aribo be played upfront alongside Fashion Sakala and Ryan Kent.
“That’s the kind of system I think might suit Rangers best in Leipzig and I think Joe Aribo is the man best suited to playing the false-nine role,” Commons posited ahead of the game.
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“In terms of his touch and his technical ability, he’s a much better player than Sakala.
“I think a front three with Aribo centrally, with Sakala and Kent out wide will cause Leipzig problems.
“Aribo and Kent were rested for Saturday’s victory over Motherwell in the Premiership, so they should be fresh and raring to go Thursday night.
Commons added: “It’s a funny one with Aribo, in the first half of the season he was one of the best players in the country and looked a decent bet for player of the year along with some of the Celtic contingent.
“But he definitely went off the boil when he returned from the African Cup Of Nations with Nigeria a couple of months ago.
“I’m saying that he’s definitely been finding some form again in recent games.
“His performances have picked up and he’s looking more dangerous.”
Aribo has three assists in 12 Europa League appearances so far this season.
By Toju Sote
