Charlie Nicholas in Joe Aribo Rangers warning as midfield star told he 'hasn't kicked own backside' since AFCON

Charlie Nicholas has warned Joe Aribo to get his act together as he says the Rangers midfielder "hasn't kicked his own backside" since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerian international looked a shoo-in for Player of the Year but, despite an assist against Aberdeen at the weekend, he hasn't been as influential in the second half of the campaign.

With Gio van Bronckhorst's side chasing down Celtic in the Premiership and facing Red Star in the Europa League last 16, Nicholas expects the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos to step up.

But he's been left frustrated by Aribo in recent weeks as he tells the 25-year-old to recapture his best performances.

Nicholas wrote in his Daily Express column: "Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side deservedly won plenty of plaudits for seeing off Borussia Dortmund in the last round.

"They now face Red Star at Ibrox in the first leg and there is no doubt expectation levels have been cranked up again.

"I can see Kent and Alfredo Morelos both having an appetite for this game, but I do think it is time Rangers got a performance out of Joe Aribo again because he hasn't kicked his own backside since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in late January.

"Up to that point, he had been the player of the season but that is now up for debate.

"Rangers need to go for it against Red Star and get the home crowd on board.The Ibrox fans might believe the Serbians are easier opponents than Borussia Dortmund but there is no chance van Bronckhorst and his players will be taking that view.

"Red Star have done well to get this far, having knocked out Cluj before topping a group featuring Midtjylland, Braga and Ludogorets.

"They are a decent team and will be technically good, albeit