Joe Aribo: Pressure At Rangers Have Made Me Better

The former Charlton Athletic midfield ace has admitted that the added pressure of playing for the Ibrox giants especially under the guidance of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has made him a better person and a better player.

Joe Aribo moved to the Scottish top-flight in the summer on a free transfer and was initially deployed in the centre of midfield by Rangers’ boss, Gerrard.

However, a change in position to an attacking role has seen the 23-year-old blossom to become one of the Gers’ key players in the race for the SPL title.

The Light Blues are the biggest challengers to Celtic’s league domination, with Steven Gerrard’s men only two points behind the champions on the log. Rangers, however, enjoy the advantage of having a game in hand.

It is the first time in Aribo’s career that the Super Eagles star would be involved in a topflight title challenge. And the Gers’ Number 17 has confessed that the extra pressure of having to win every game played has helped him develop on all fronts.

“One thing I have always said is that the fans, they are just ruthless, they want to win every game and it has to be by a big margin,” Aribo told the media on Friday as quoted by the official Rangers website. 

“I know every week I have to perform, I have to be the best that I can be and we have to do that as a team also.

“That pressure makes you a better player and a better person because you know if you’re sloppy or you’re not at your best then you will come out of the team.

“It is good pressure and it is what you need to be the best that you can be.

“You have to get the chance to play in a position and grab it. I just want to keep being able to grab that position.

“I just want to go out there and express myself, that’s all the gaffer says to me before a game and I am just happy that I am able to do that.”

Rangers take the trip to face bottom-of-the-league side Hearts on Sunday and stand a chance of going top should leaders Celtic fumble at home to Ross County on Saturday.

Photo credit: rangers.co.uk