Rangers will miss Joe Aribo after confirmed news - pundit

By Frank McAvennie

11th Jul, 2022 | 12:07pm

Rangers short-changed by Southampton as Joe Aribo details emerge - pundit

Frank McAvennie has claimed Rangers “could have got more” than £10million for Joe Aribo.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Celtic striker suggested the Gers were wrong to let the Nigerian leave the club for Southampton.

The Glasgow club confirmed the departure of the 25-year-old last Saturday (9 July).

The Athletic reported on the day the deal was announced that the Saints have paid an initial £6million, potentially rising to £10m with add-ons.

Aribo put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

When asked for his assessment of the move, McAvennie told Football Insider: “As a Celtic supporter, it’s not good for Rangers.

I thought he was their best player, so he’s going to be missing next season and they will miss him. I thought they could have got more money for him but £10m is fine. Is it worth it? Only time will tell.

I think he’ll do well at Southampton, he was the main guy for Rangers last year.

I can see why they’ve taken him. He’ll work well with [Stuart] Armstrong who went down there from Celtic. Aribo’s strong on the ball, he can hit a pass he can score goals so I can see why they’ve taken him.

It’s not as easy as people think, going to the Premier League, going and playing against the big guns, but I think he’ll do alright.”

Aribo made 57 appearances for the Gers last season.

He scored nine goals and provided ten assists in the 2021-22 campaign, including a goal and three assists in their Europa League campaign.

In other news, a pundit has told Rangers to sign “amazing” Aribo replacement as £6m profit mooted.