Rangers manager Steven Gerrard singled out Joe Aribo for praise following his side's convincing 2-0 win over Brondby in a Europa League match at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday night.

The central midfielder was one of the three Nigerian players that tasted action against the Danish opponents, the others being Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey.

One of the talking points of the game was in the second half when Rangers were denied a blatant penalty by the on-field referee and VAR after Aribo was felled in the box.

On Aribo's display, Gerrard told BT Sport post-match : "I never said stand up and be counted, I think he always gives you that. He's a great kid, he wants to learn, he wants to grow.

"What I've said to Joe is you're a much better player when you play angry in a nice way, flex your muscles.

"I thought his first 45-minute performance tonight was outstanding, that's probably the reason why he tired a little bit but he's played a lot."

Allnigeriasoccer.com broke the news three months ago that Aribo was attracting concrete interest from a Premier League club and Gerrard fueled those speculations by admitting that Rangers could struggle to keep hold of the Nigerian if he continues to churn out brilliant displays.

"He has been away on international duty but if he can find that performance consistently over 90 minutes, we will be lucky to keep hold of him".

Aribo will enter the final eighteen months of his contract with Rangers in January 2022.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel