Joe Aribo has spoken about his need to bulk-up in the gym to find his best form on the pitch.
The London-born midfielder is currently in a rich vein of form, showing that he has the bottle for the battle.
He spoke to the media at Rangers press conference yesterday, as below, ahead of the Europa League game tonight.
The entertainer with the rapid feet has shown plenty of talent – now in his second season at Ibrox – but he has been putting in extra work in order to get to the top.
Taking influence from his team mates, Aribo spoke about his gym regime in order to bulk-up:
“I knew when I first came in that I wasn’t the biggest but I have been trying to put on weight and fill out a shirt for a long time.”
“I knew I had to be in the gym and I tried to do as much gym work as possible.”
“I am feeling a lot stronger now when I’m going around the pitch. I have got a fast metabolism so I struggle with that.”
“We know how physical Scottish football is so I knew that if I was getting stronger then I would be able to match that physicality. That is what I had to do.”
The benefits of his graft are being evidenced, none more so than in Aribo’s dazzling, powerful performance at Ibrox last Sunday.
The Nigerian international was instrumental in that win for Steven Gerrard’s men – stealing the show with his second half thunderbolt to make it 3-0.
Aribo continued, “I would say I do most of my gym work with Glen and Connor, but when you see Ianis’ work rate, Davo’s work rate, you see how much gym they do and that motivates you and you know that every single day you can improve. The one per cents are so important.”
“I have always wanted to score goals, especially scoring goals from midfield.”
“Goals are big but mainly I just want to perform well. Goals do that as well and adding goals to your game is such a big thing.”
“It effects the game, goals win games. To score goals is massive for me.”
“I think that is for you to judge (if you are seeing my full potential)”.
“Hopefully you are seeing that finished article but I know there are still levels for me to get to and improve.”
“I can always improve every single day so I will keep pushing the hardest I can to be the best that I can be and show that.”
Having also scored in the first leg last week against Antwerp, another goal tonight for Joe Aribo would be welcomed by all in the Rangers camp.