Joe Aribo doubles down on Rangers transfer stance as he reflects on 'rollercoaster' season at Ibrox

Joe Aribo has doubled down on his Rangers transfer outlook, insisting he’s blocking out speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

The Nigerian international has been heavily linked with Crystal Palace this summer, while Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa have also been mentioned.

But Aribo remains fully focussed on his football as he refused to become distracted.

"With all that stuff I don't really read into it and I just focus on my football, because you can't have distractions as it won't allow you to play the best and be the best that you want to be," he said.

"Which is obviously what I want to be every time I play. I just want to be focused and ready to go."

Aribo was deployed in a variety of Rangers roles last season, leading the line as a central striker after Alfredo Morelos was ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

He started the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt there, and it looked like being a masterstroke after he fired the Gers into the lead in Seville.

It ended in heartache however as the Bundesliga side prevailed on penalties.

He was up top again for the Scottish Cup final, which had a happier ending after an extra-time victory over Hearts at Hampden.

Despite all the moving about, Aribo is grateful to manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst for helping him grow as a player.

"Playing in different positions has helped me realise what I'm capable of doing and also given me an opportunity to keep growing," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"As a young footballer craving a chance to play, you'd grab the chance to even play in goal. But here I am being asked to play for my club in different roles on the pitch, I was happy to do it.

"I must say I am no longer the player I was after going