Rangers suffered a shock defeat to St Mirren in the Betfred Cup quarter-final last night and manager Steven Gerrard has carried the can for resting a number of key players for the game.
However, one of those who has been a regular starter in recent weeks, Joe Aribo, also put in a very poor display. Supporters on Twitter were very critical of the Nigerian international following the 3-2 loss:
fair play to st mirren, got exactly what we deserved. Aribo was a disgrace
— Peter Kerrigan (@PeterK1664) December 16, 2020
How Aribo lasted the 90 and Itten was taken off was baffling
— jamiedfa (@jamiedfa) December 17, 2020
Disagree. Recently conceding goals has started to creep in. We need to keep an eye on it. How Aribo and Kent finished the game is beyond me. The left was our issue tonight only Bassey was taken off. Dreadful
— Eddie Paton (@Edpat82) December 16, 2020
B team was good enough to beat Lech easily. Aribo defo not at it atm.
— Yaldy (@yaldydd) December 16, 2020
Kent Aribo Bassey itten – pure rubbish
— Brian Rout (@BrianRout2) December 16, 2020
How joe aribo didn't get substituted beggars belief
— Hugh Reid (@HughRei32145289) December 16, 2020
Too many changes. Bassey was awful, Aribo non-existent, Itten poor. A proper kick in the balls tonight.
— Cambridge Bear (@scooterrangers) December 16, 2020
There was undoubtedly some complacency last night with some players thinking that they could simply turn up and win on the day, without putting in the required effort.
It was a perfect opportunity for Gerrard to win his first trophy as manager and the chance was needlessly squandered due to a very sloppy performance. The players will want to put that right as soon as possible, and you would expect to see a reaction when the Light Blues face Motherwell on Saturday.