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Joe Aribo looking to emulate Yaya Toure, Patrick Vieira

Joe Aribo looking to emulate Yaya Toure, Patrick Vieira
© Reuters
The midfielder swapped Charlton for Rangers during the summer.

Rangers summer signing Joe Aribo admits he has studied the games of Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira after being likened to the midfield pair.

Aribo signed for Rangers from Charlton following the expiration of his contract after helping Lee Bowyer's side reach the Sky Bet Championship.

And he is determined to keep progressing as he arms himself with homework on the former Manchester City duo.

The 22-year-old said: "Over the past few years I have heard a lot of comparisons, some people have said Yaya Toure, some people have said Vieira, so I have been looking a lot at their game and what they do on the pitch.

"I saw some stuff in the papers and ex-managers have said it.

"It makes me very happy, they are both very good players and I would love to play even a little bit like them.

"It's vital to study, you need to see what they were doing on the pitch and it will eventually help you improve."

Aribo's move to Glasgow was heavily influenced by another world-class midfielder, Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.

Aribo, who was promoting Rangers Soccer Schools, said: "I was speaking to him and I just got a feel of what he was like as a person and that was something that pushed me towards Rangers.

"It was a very big factor. You know what he's done in the game. I just felt comfortable with him and I just thought it was a no-brainer. That was just after the play-off final."

Celtic were reported to be interested in Aribo but the midfielder denied any knowledge.

"I wasn't aware of that but my agent might know a bit more about that," he said.

"There were a few others but once I had spoken to the gaffer I knew this is where I wanted to go.

"It's a massive club with a great history and great facilities that can help me improve."

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer was openly sceptical about the benefit of Aribo moving to Scotland and former Addicks manager Chris Powell echoed his thoughts.

But Aribo said: "I don't really think about that, I have just come here to play my football and do what I need to do to show how good I am.

"I knew the size of the club and what I was getting myself into. I am just glad I managed to get it over the line."

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Charlton Athletic's Joe Aribo celebrates a goal with teammate Lyle Taylor in March 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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