Joe Aribo has expressed his delight after Steven Gerrard’s men booked their place in the next round of the Europa League after claiming a narrow 1-0 win at Braga.
Joe Aribo made an 18-minute contribution on Wednesday night, but Ryan Kent was the hero as his second-half winner dumped the Portuguese side out of Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The former Charlton Athletic midfielder had been crucial to the stunning 3-2 comeback victory in the first leg.
Two away goals in the first leg made Braga the favourites going into the second leg in Portugal. But Ryan Kent’s calm, breakaway finish coupled with a strong defensive display means the Ibrox side are in the last 16 in European competition for the first time since 2011.
Ahead of the Light Blues return leg clash with the Portuguese side, Rangers captain, James Tavernier, had charged Steven Gerrard’s men to emulate the application and passion of Nigeria international, Aribo.
Impressed by the impact of the 23-year-old at the Ibrox, Tavernier pleaded with his teammates to give the second leg their everything.
“Everyone was at it to a man,” the Rangers captain told the Scotsman.
“Joe (Aribo) came on and made a real impact; he played three positions. He was terrific for us.
“That is what we need. It is a squad game and not just about the eleven that started the game. Anyone that is asked to come on has to make an impact, and that is what the boys did.”
And that’s what they did as Rangers produced a defensive masterclass to edge the competition’s most prolific goal scorers.
Aribo reacted to the triumph with a fire emoji on his official Twitter account.
The Light Blues now have to wait till Friday’s draw in Nyon to know their Round of 16 foes.