Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has backtracked on previous claims that Joe Aribo made the wrong decision by joining Rangers.
Bowyer was critical of Aribo for opting to move up north to join the Ibrox outfit rather than stick around in English football. The ex-Newcastle and Leeds midfielder felt the Nigerian could have spent more time at a bigger club than the Addicks in the Championship for the good of his career.
Now, though, Bowyer has performed a U-turn on his comments and insisted he was NOT meaning them as derogatory towards the Light Blues. Instead he says he was simply looking out for Aribo's career - and he insists he knew the player would be a hit at Gers when he did decide to go.
Speaking on talkSPORT Bowyer said: "It was never that straightforward. I wasn’t trying to say, oh like… it wasn’t a defined England/Scotland [thing]. It wasn’t that. I was just thinking of the boy’s career. But, he’s gone to Rangers and he’s doing well. I never doubted for one second that he wouldn’t do well, because he’s an exceptional player and working under Steven Gerrard, who would only make him better. So it wasn’t that.
“But I just thought for him as a development thing I thought Brentford would have been good for him. But I’m pleased for Joe and I’m pleased for Rangers that things are going well and hopefully they can keep moving forward together."
Aribo has become a top star at Ibrox, scoring 11 goals in 55 games since leaving Charlton. He has also been capped by Nigeria at full international level and scored against Brazil.
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