Aribo to Rangers: Fans clamour for return of Nigerian star
Aribo is facing the prospect of playing Championship football next term after the Saints finished rock bottom of the English top flight
A return to Rangers for fan favourite Joe Aribo is being touted by some fans - with Michael Beale left searching for a Malik Tillman replacement going into the new season.
However, the Ibrox punters may have already had their answer from the Southampton playmaker.
The Nigeria international has helped his country qualify for the African Cup on Nations to round off a disappointing first campaign in the English Premier League following his move to the south coast having been used sparingly by three bosses last season - Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles - and dropped to the U23s at times this season.
Aribo is facing the prospect of playing Championship football next term after the Saints finished rock bottom of the English top flight - just over a year since he wrote his name in Rangers history by netting in the Europa League Final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
And with Tillman unlikely to return to Ibrox - some supporters on social media are calling for Beale to make a move to bring Aribo back on loan.
The 26-year-old has already hinted that a move could be unlikely - with his career mantra taking him out of his "comfort zone". Speaking to the Daily Echo about his exit from Ibrox shortly following the move, he insisted that motivator is how he has grown as a professional.
"I think for me, what’s so important is the timing of everything. I had some offers down south but I chose to go away from home, come out of my comfort zone - which is so important for your own growth personally.
"So for me, life is about little steps to get to your goal and that’s why I made the choice to go up there. And then why I came back to Southampton.
"I was staying in a house in Charlton but I was going home every single day so Rangers was the first time I was actually away and not seeing my family. I remember first going up there, I was homesick, it wasn’t very easy for me. But that all comes with growing and getting out of your comfort zone so I had to make that step."
