Disappointed Gerrard Refuses To Praise Joe Aribo Despite Fine Goalscoring Run

The Super Eagles ace scored his second goal in as many games to help the Gers pick up a point away from home, but the Rangers boss was left unimpressed.

Steven Gerrard has expressed his frustration at his team’s defence after the Light Blues conceded eight goals in their last six matches.

Days after inspiring the Gers to a comeback victory against Sporting Braga in Thursday’s Europa League game, Nigerian international Joe Aribo was again at his best at McDiarmid Park.

Aribo continued his fine scoring form, netting Rangers’ second goal of the afternoon, but it was only good enough to earn the Light Blues a draw at St. Johnstone in Sunday’s Premiership game.

The stalemate pegs the Gers back in the title race with Steven Gerrard’s men now 12 points behind league leaders, Celtic, following the champions fine 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Rangers supporters singled out Aribo for praise after the encounter, but Gerrard’s fury with his sluggish defenders stopped him from appreciating the efforts of the former Charlton Athletic midfielder.

“I’m going to play the same record,” said Gerrard after the game as quoted by Jordan Campbell. 

“I should be sitting here waxing lyrical about Flo Kamberi and Joe Aribo as, from an attacking point of view, in the second half, we were outstanding. But we keep shooting ourselves in the foot.

“We forgot the good, strong basics of defending, and it has cost us on two occasions today, nearly three only for Allan McGregor to pull off a world-class save.

“I’m frustrated and concerned with us defensively because it has happened too many times now for this football club.”

Aribo has now scored seven goals and provided eight assists in 40 appearances across all competitions this season.