The Nigerian international was on from start to finish against the league’s bottom club but could not help the Gers secure all the maximum points
Super Eagles duo of Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun failed to inspire Rangers to victory on Sunday as Steven Gerrard’s men could only manage a 1-1 draw at Motherwell.
With Celtic forced to a stalemate at the Celtic Park by Efe Ambrose’s Livingston on Saturday, Aribo and co knew before kickoff that a win over Motherwell would take them 23 points clear of the champions at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
But it was the visitors, starting the day at the bottom of the league, that got the game’s opening goal in the 21st minute.
Devante Cole avoided the attentions of Balogun to pounce on a Tony Watt pass and convert for the hosts.
Rangers were stunned and looked to respond immediately but created little of note for the rest of the first half.
The visitors started the second half with a bit more urgency, and Aribo had the chance to drag his side back in the game in the 57th minute, but his effort went wide off target when he was well placed.
The Light Blues finally had their breakthrough in the 72nd minute when substitute Cedric Itten headed home the equaliser from a Borna Barisic corner kick.
Veteran forward Jermaine Defoe and skipper James Tavernier had chances to win it for Rangers late on, but both players could not find the back of the net.
The draw lifts Motherwell off the base of the league table above Hibernian on goal difference.
However, Rangers extend their lead over Celtic to 21 points, but Steven Gerrard’s side has played three more matches than their bitter rivals.
