When he first clapped eyes on Joe Aribo he thought he’d seen a left-footed Yaya Toure.
But when Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa watches his pal light up Ibrox now, he realises there’s no one else like him.
The pair were young team-mates at Charlton Athletic with aspirations of making the first-team.
And Konsa knew immediately when Aribo arrived from non-league outfit Staines Town in 2015 that he was going right to the top.
They became close friends and forged a bond that still exists today, even with the midfielder in Glasgow and the centre-back in the Premier League.
Konsa says Aribo’s languid style, soft feet and running power initially reminded him of former Barcelona and Manchester City superstar Toure.
But, on reflection, the 23-year-old reckons the Londoner is unique in British football.
While Rangers have struggled to hit top gear so far this season, Aribo has been one of their shining lights.
He’s now a key man for Steven Gerrard ’s side and pal Konsa believes he’s taken his game on to a whole new level since leaving The Valley two years ago.
The Aston Villa ace told MailSport : “Myself and Joe go way back to our Charlton days together. He’s a really good friend and a great guy to be around.
“He’s the type that everyone would love in their changing room. And he’s a great player.
“We’ve all seen that in England and now in Scotland too. But for me, as a friend, it’s more about the way he carries himself. He’s just such a humble guy.
“Joe’s really focused on wanting to improve himself and he loves the game.
“Having Gerrard as his manager at Rangers, that has made him go up another level.
“Joe’s style is unique. When I was with him at Charlton he did remind me for a while of a left-footed Yaya Toure.
“But you don’t get a lot of midfielders like Joe, there aren’t many around.
“Like Toure, for a tall guy he’s got such great feet.
“But that languid style he’s got is actually fairly unique in the game.
“When he first came to Charlton, he was very quiet, a really shy guy.
“It took him quite a while to open up and start talking to everyone else.
“But we knew he had great ability. I remember thinking when I was there that it was only a matter of time before he broke into Charlton’s first-team.
“The stuff he did on a pitch at times was unreal. It was like he was still
playing street football.
“So we knew he’d go far in the game.”
Aribo was a stand-out for the Addicks when they were promoted to the Championship via a play-off win at Wembley in 2019.
He was urged to stay in England by then gaffer Lee Bowyer, who later questioned the playmaker’s decision to join Rangers. But Konsa admired his mate for moving north of the border and, after winning the Premiership title last season, Aribo’s move has been fully justified.
He’s a certain starter for Gers in today’s Old Firm derby and the Villa man said: “Watching Joe winning the league with Rangers last season, I just thought: ‘That’s fully deserved.’
“I always thought it would be a good move for him, especially with Gerrard there as his manager.
“He was only ever going to improve going up there.
“I know he got a bit of criticism at the time because some people felt he should stay in England.
“And going up there was tough for him at first because he had never been away from
home before.
“Going to Scotland, a new club, at facilities he’d never experienced before, was always going to be difficult for him.
“So he needed to settle at Rangers and that’s what he’s done now. And he has really kicked on for them.
“I watched the goal he scored against Ross County last week, it was a great goal. But that’s what Joe can do for you.
“Going to Rangers has helped a lot. He’s playing in the Europa League every year as well which is also a big platform for him. He won a title last season and who knows what Joe can go on to achieve this season?
“It’s exciting to see what the future holds for him.”
Aribo has a contract at Ibrox until the end of next season and Gerrard will be desperate to keep him even longer.
But he’s also one of the champions’ most valuable assets and when he arrived his manager also spoke about his potential sell-on value after being snared on a cut-price, cross-border deal.
Every time Konsa watches him on TV for Gers, he’s impressed but not hugely surprised.
He expects him to play at the highest level in the game – and admits he would love to see him strut his stuff in
England’s top flight.
Konsa said: “Joe can go as high as he wants and it feels like this certainly won’t be the last step in his career.
“He can go on to a higher level again.
“Watching him play for Rangers, you can see how easy he makes the game look at times.
“In terms of his ability, for such a tall guy he’s always had great feet.
“He was really strong from a young age, he was box-to-box and could defend as well when he had to.
“Joe had everything as a midfielder back then – and he still does.
“This is just the beginning for him. He’s making everyone sit up and take notice.
“I’d love to see him in the English Premier League one day.
“Whatever happens, this is definitely just the start for Joe Aribo.”
