Aribo Puts Rangers Three Matches Away from Scottish League Title
Super Eagles midfielder, Joe Aribo, registered a goal and emerged as the ‘Man of the Match’ in Rangers FC’s win against visiting Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League yesterday.
The win puts Steve Gerrard’s side needing just 10 points to be crowned the king of the Scottish league.
The AFCON 2019 bronze medal winner with Nigeria scored the third goal just after resumption. Aribo provided the assist for the last goal for Rangers.
Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent gave Steven Gerrard’s side an interval lead after Lawrence Shankland and Louis Appere spurned chances for a sprightly United.
Aribo netted a stunning third to kill the game, before goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist’s clearance cannoned off Alfredo Morelos and into the net.
Borna Barisic missed a penalty before Marc McNulty got a late consolation.
Rangers have now played 30 of their 38 league fixtures and lead nearest challengers Celtic by 18 points before they visit Ross County later yesterday.
As their final game before the split is an Old Firm derby, Gerrard’s side could claim the title by winning their next three league fixtures.
Micky Mellon’s United are a point off sixth-placed St Mirren, who have a game in hand.
The visitors carved out the first chance when Shankland was played in on the edge of the Rangers box after a fine move and went beyond his man, only for Allan McGregor to smother the shot.
United took encouragement and Nicky Clark sent Appere through, McGregor racing off his line to make the block.
Rangers, without injured captain and top scorer James Tavernier, responded and Aribo’s bending shot gave Siegrist the chance to impress with a touch wide.
Gerrard went to his bench as early as the 27th minute with Glen Kamara taking over from Ryan Jack and McGregor kept his side on terms again by beating away Appere’s powerful drive.
United had enjoyed the better of it, but Rangers grabbed the lead as Aribo patiently probed on the left edge of the box before Hagi’s flick diverted his shot and wrong-footed Siegrist.
A second goal followed within three minutes. Barisic’s cross was headed up by Leon Balogun and Kent’s strike came off the unfortunate Ryan Edwards to again leave Siegrist helpless.