Joe Aribo tipped to recapture Rangers form as Southampton legend reveals frustration at nightmare debut campaign

Joe Aribo can bounce back from a frustrating first season at Southampton, according to Saints legend Matt Le Tissier.

The Nigeria midfielder left Rangers on a high after winning the Premier League, and scoring in the Europa League final against Frankfurt. Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl shelled out £6m to take the player back to England, but he failed to set the heather on fire in his debut season.

Now, though, with Saints in the Championship after being relegated, Le Tissier - who spent his entire 16-year career at the Hampshire club - reckons Aribo can shine in the second tier. He said: “I still watch Southampton a lot and I was excited when I heard the club had signed Aribo from Rangers. He had enjoyed a lot of good times at Ibrox as Rangers won the Premier League and Scottish Cup. He then scored in the European final in Seville as Rangers came within a whisker of landing another European trophy.

“When he arrived at St Mary’s I was really looking forward to seeing him in action - and then he scored this unbelievable goal in pre-season. Everything seemed set up for him.

“But I suppose you’re judged on competitive performances and he just couldn’t get that early league goal, which can make such a massive difference. It must have been frustrating for him, and then in the second half of the season his opportunities were limited.

“I’d like to see him come out of the traps next season all guns blazing - and I’m sure he can still be a star in a Saints jersey.”

Le Tissier will be in action himself a week on Saturday when he guests for a Rangers Select in a charity match at Bury’s Gigg Lane. The match is in aid of the Lee Rigby Foundation and for the 54-year old footballing genius, it’ll be his third game in around a month.