A £20million star with dazzling feet has just checked into Ibrox but former Rangers ace Greg Stewart fears another could be about to head out the exit.
The Ibrox faithful got their first glimpse of Manchester United ace Amad Diallo during Saturday’s 3-3 thriller against Ross County, with the Ivorian loanee making an instant impact with his debut goal in Dingwall.
Staggies sub Matty Wright stole the headline with his 96th-minute equaliser but it was Joe Aribo who stole the show on his return from the African Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian ace’s performance was the loan bright spark on another dull and dreary day for the champions as their title charge was blown off course amid Storm Malik’s gale-force gusts.
They now head to Parkhead with their Premiership lead slashed back to just two points and the Gers support will be looking to the former Charlton ace to provide the spark which reignites their drive for two-in-a-row.
But before that, the punters face a nervous wait for tonight’s transfer deadline to pass.
The hope will be that suitors Leicester, Southampton and former Gers boss Steven Gerrard, now in charge of Aston Villa, do not follow up on their interest and whisk the silky playmaker away back down south.
But if the Premier League big guns do come calling with wallets open, Stewart reckons his old side should be holding out for sums similar to the one which United forked out to sign Diallo from Atalanta 12 months ago.
“Does it surprise me that teams want to sign Joe? Absolutely not,” declared the former Ibrox attacker. “Nothing surprises me with Joe to be honest.
“I’ve seen him close up and know what he can do.
“And for me, he can only get better and better.
“Joe has the ability to score goals, create chances and dominate a midfield. He can play in a variety of positions - I even remember him playing at left-back against Braga and scoring a goal.
“He has so much versatility that you could ask him to play anywhere on the park and he’d just get on with it.
“His ability with the ball is frightening.
“Those big dangly legs and long arms can be deceptive. He looks like a big octopus at times with those limbs everywhere.
“But his skills are incredible. You can’t get the ball off him, he’ll just dribble past you.
“If he’s in the box, no-one can touch him. He’ll either go past you or you’ll foul him. His feet are just that good.
“Is he Premier League class? I think so.
“If a top-flight team from down south comes calling it’s difficult to turn them down. For Rangers, it will be hard too considering they only signed him for £300,000.
“But I can’t see them selling him for any less than £15million. Maybe £20m.
“He’s a Nigerian international, a league winner who has played regularly in Europe these last three years.
“You see what players go for down south and for me it would be a no brainer for Rangers if an English Premier League club comes offering silly money.
“I’d love to see him stay at Ibrox but I understand this is how football works. If you’re doing well, teams will take an interest.”
The days of Gers being left short changed after being forced to give up their most valuable assets appear to be over after Ibrox chiefs managed to squeeze £12million out of Everton for Nathan Patterson.
But the asking price for Aribo will have soared again after Saturday’s results sent Gers’ odds of winning the title and the £40million Champions League bounty tumbling.
He’s more valuable than ever with the title in the balance and Stewart said: “You’ve seen before the club has had bids in for big players before and they’ve knocked them back.
“Teams used to think they could get players from Ibrox on the cheap.
“So it’s fair play to the board that they stood firm when those low offers came in.
“They must be in a strong position if they can hold out for decent money.
“But they also know if you keep your best players you give yourself the best chance of winning the league, which obviously has a Champions League pot of gold attached this season.”
Rangers build their title win last year on midfield domination but Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team have become a pushover since returning from the winter break.
Stewart reckons the answer to that problem is the return of Ryan Jack.
After a year of injury angst and aborted comebacks, the Scotland ace hopes he’s finally reached the end of his woes having returned to action against Livingston last week.
Stewart - now playing for Indian Super League outfit Jamshedpur - may be based 5,000 miles from home but he’s always been available at the other end of the phone to listen to his friend’s frustrations.
“Injuries are part of the game unfortunately,” said Stewart, who quit Ibrox in the summer. “I’ve had Ryan on the phone and told him these things happen. Injuries are difficult. No-one wants to know when times are tough and you’re out injured. People only want to know when you’re playing football.
“I spoke to him on the phone a few times and told him, ‘You’ll be back in no time and you’ll be better than ever.’
“He’s a big player for that team.
“For me, there’s been times when Rangers have missed him.
“You saw what he means to the fans when he made his comeback at Ibrox the other night. They gave him a huge reception.
“They will be desperate for him to come back.
“But I assure you there is no-one more desperate than Ryan himself.
“He just wants to be back out there doing what he loves in a blue jersey and I’m sure he will.
“Hopefully now he is back, that will be him and he can put this last horrible year behind him.
“Mentally it will have been difficult but I know how strong a guy he is. I know for a fact he’ll be back better than ever.”
