Wonder goal not a stunner for Joe’s pals
Joe Aribo got plenty of messages from mates after his mazy wonder goal against Braga at Ibrox.
But none of his South London pals was surprised – because they had seen him do it before.
The Rangers midfielder is still basking in the glory of his wonder strike that was part of their stunning first-leg comeback win over the Portuguese.
He played his part from the bench as Steven Gerrard’s men finished the job on Wednesday night to reach the Europa League last 16.
But his goal in Govan is the highlight of his Gers’ career to date and it prompted loads of reaction from down south.
The 23- year- old used to have kickabouts with the likes of current Ibrox team-mate Glen Kamara and Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha.
And Aribo insists he used to score the type of goal he got against Braga on a regular basis during their street football games as a kid.
He said: “I got a lot of messages from friends and family in England.
“They said they were proud of me – which was nice to hear.
“But one of my friends actually replied by saying they had seen me do it countless times before.
“That made me laugh. I grew up in South London and we played football all tthe time.
“There could be up to 20 guys going up aagainst each other. Glen played in the ggames, so did Mickel Miller who’s now at HHamilton Accies.
“Zaha would be there sometimes so tthere were a lot of good players.
“Doing it in the Europa League last 32 is a bit different to doing against friends, mmind you.
“That first game against Braga was hhuge. At the end, I just thought: ‘ Wow, I ddid that.’”
For a young player in his first season aat Rangers, Aribo has shown enough to ssuggest he’ll be a big player for the club.
Gerrard is an admirer but – unlike at pprevious club Charlton Athletic – the NNigerian international knows at Ibrox hhe has to be on his game every week or hhe won’t play.
Aribo said: “When you get a chance you hhave to be ready.
“And you have to be in good form all tthe time to play.
“But the gaffer here knows how to get tthe best out of me. I know I might not sstart every game and I’ll be disappointed.
“But I have to remember at Rangers the big games come thick and fast.”