The former Bayern Munich star was a top-quality creative midfielder in his prime, and he sees similar traits in a young Nigerian star
Denmark icon Brian Laudrup has revealed his admiration for Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo, insisting that Steven Gerrard’s men missed the Super Eagles star’s creativity in their goalless draw at Livingston last weekend.
Aribo has been brilliant since the start of the Scottish Premier League season, inspiring the Gers to victory in their first three games against Aberdeen, St. Mirren, and St. Johnstone.
The 24-year-old, however, picked up a knock in training last weekend that kept him out of the stalemate at Livingston, where Rangers huffed and puffed but just couldn’t conjure up a winner.
Laudrup won three league titles with Rangers in the mid-nineties, and he believes that Aribo is crucial to the Gers’ desire to challenge for the title this season.
Speaking to the Daily Mail as quoted by the Glasgow Times, Laudrup said: “Aribo’s close control is excellent. Even in tight spaces, he can take players on or produce a piece of skill to bring someone else into the game.
“There were times on Sunday when that could have been invaluable to unlocking something for Rangers.
“With Aribo, the closeness of the situation doesn’t matter. You could see that from the goals he scored in pre-season.
“I know Gerrard has been speaking about adding another midfielder. That will be really interesting because perhaps they need one who can offer that bit more creativity if Aribo isn’t available.”
Aribo scored his first goal of the league campaign in the 3-0 defeat of St. Johnstone.