Former Celtic striker John Hartson has advised Glasgow Rangers to re-sign Joe Aribo if the opportunity arises to bring him back to the club. The Nigerian midfielder left Rangers for Southampton in the summer transfer window last year for a guaranteed fee of £6 million but has struggled to settle down in the English Premier League. He has made 26 appearances for Southampton’s first team and has scored two goals.
According to Hartson, he would take Aribo back in a heartbeat if the financial opportunity arises but doubts the feasibility of such a move. Southampton would want a portion of the fees back, and meanwhile, Rangers’ assistant manager, Michael Beale, wants to build his own team. The possible signing of Malik Tillman is also a factor to consider. Hartson added that a possible move to re-sign Aribo would depend on wages and fees.
Aribo had a productive spell with Rangers before his move to Southampton. The 26-year-old helped Rangers clinch the league title in the 2020/2021 season, won one Scottish Cup, and played an essential role in the club’s progress to the Europa League final in the previous season. During his time at Rangers, Aribo scored 26 goals in 149 appearances, winning several individual awards such as the Rangers Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Season.
In conclusion, Hartson’s suggestion to bring Aribo back to Rangers shows the player’s impact during his time at the club. The pressure to succeed in the Premier League might require him to move back to Scotland, and it remains to be seen if Rangers can explore this opportunity and make it happen. Only time will tell if Joe Aribo will sport the Rangers jersey again.
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