RangersMedia

January Player of the Month: Sone Aluko Wednesday, 01 February 2012 11:43 Written by djw1992

Congratulations to Sone Aluko, who has been voted RangersMedia’s player of the month for January.  The tricky Nigerian midfielder has participated in each of Rangers’ five matches this month, topping off an extremely productive January with a wonderful free kick to help his new side to a 4-0 win over Hibernian last Saturday. 

The winger had a great start to 2012, with an excellent performance helping to put Motherwell to the sword on the 2nd of the month.  Not only did the Nigerian fire home his first goal for the Royal Blues (a low effort from the edge of the box), but he also had a hand in the final goal, teeing up a Lee Wallace cross which Stephen Craigan turned past his own keeper.

Next up was Arbroath in the Scottish Cup, where a lively Aluko set up Nikica Jelavic’s goal in the 4-0 win on the East coast, as well as having several shots on target himself.

It was back to league duty with a tricky fixture against fourth placed St. Johnstone in Perthshire on the 14th.  Yet again, Aluko was to play a key role in the game’s outcome, with a shot in the 22nd minute being deflected home by a predatory Jelavic.  Interestingly enough, two of the Croatian’s three goals this month were set up by Aluko.  The third, and Rangers’ second at McDiarmid Park, was the result of an Aluko free kick which had caused chaos in the St. Johnstone box.

The only points of the month were dropped in the next game, and the second of the new year at Ibrox, against Aberdeen.  Despite the 1-1 draw, Aluko made a nuisance of himself to his former employers, with only a fine stop from the Aberdeen goalie preventing the Nigerian from grabbing a winner in the dying throes of the game.

The final match, last Saturday, was against  Hibs, and man-of-the-match Aluko yet again was in fine form.  A wonderful through ball set up Steven Davis’ first, while a sumptuous free kick from 25 yards out that nestled in Mark Brown’s top left corner effectively killed the game off for the reigning champions.

It’s true to say that the signing of Sone Aluko has brought the proverbial ‘breath of fresh air’ to the first team squad.  Full of tricks, and more than proficient in dead ball situations, the Hounslow born winger has delivered what the team was lacking in a fair few areas.  Three assists and two goals in January are testament to his great contribution to the squad, and there’s no doubt that Aluko deserves the numerous plaudits coming his way.

Finally, an honourable mention to Mo Edu.  The American came second in the voting, after a string of solid performances in the centre of the park this month.  Despite speculation linking the Californian with a move across the channel, Edu has kept busy bossing the Rangers midfield, and will hope to keep this form up.