Joe Aribo is thanking his lucky stars that he deserted the sinking ship at Ibrox to join Southampton.
A fee of £6m allowed the midfielder to escape from Ibrox in the summer as Giovanni van Bronckhorst geared up for the worst ever Champions League campaign.
For three years Aribo shared a dressing room with Tav, Greegsy, Borna, Davo and wee Scotty but as they entered Champions League history Aribo was watching the cast crash from the south coast of England.
Southampton are currently fourth bottom of the EPL with 12 points from 13 matches but the former Charlton midfielder would rather be in a relegation dog-fight than getting battered home and away across Europe.
Picking up on an interview with Saints TV, discussing playing in the EPL the Daily Record reports Aribo saying:
It’s a dream for me to, of course, play Champions League, but I am also living my dream playing in the Premier League, so it’s either or. I couldn’t have both at the time, so I think for me it’s a very good decision.
World record add-ons are included in the Aribo fee with a significant sum going to Ibrox when Southampton make their Champions League debut.
Rangers can today confirm the transfer of @J_Aribo19 to @SouthamptonFC for a significant, undisclosed fee.
Aribo has served Rangers with distinction in the last three seasons, and leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Ibrox.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 9, 2022
