Aribo, Bassey make Scottish Premiership Team of the Season

The duo of Nigerian internationals were named amongst the First 11 in the League, being the only Africans on the team and two of only three Rangers players to make the list.

Bassey and Aribo are coming off an impressive club season with Rangers, helping the Giovanni van Bronckhorst-led side reach the UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

As published on the Scottish Premiership's official website, Aribo was selected in a three-man midfield alongside Celtic duo Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor.

The 25-year-old Nigerian international played an incredible 57 matches in all competitions for Rangers, racking up nine (9) goals and 10 assists in that period.

In justifying their selection of Aribo, the Premiership wrote: "A fine season for the Rangers midfielder, with an incredible highlight reel! Stunning goals against Ross County, Livingston, Hearts and St. Mirren among others, Aribo was another player for the Ibrox men who shone in the league."

In his first full season in the Rangers' starting line-up, 22-year-old Calvin Bassey can say he has achieved one of the highest honours by being named in the Team of the Season.

The former Leicester City U23 star had a breakout season with Rangers, moving from a squad player to the first-choice centre-back and/or left-back in the space of seven months.

The award organisers said of Bassey: "A revelation in the Rangers backline, the 22-year-old began to show his real quality as the season progressed. 

"Whether deployed at left-back or at centre-back, Bassey performed to a remarkable level not only in the league, but in Rangers’ deep runs in cup competitions at home and abroad."

Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey are currently with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, featuring in friendly matches against Mexico and Ecuador on May 29 and June 3 respectively.

The Rangers duo also started Nigeria's AFCON 2023 qualifier 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Thursday, June 9 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The Super Eagles' next match is against Sao Tome & Principe on Monday, June 13 in Mexico as the three-time African champions seek to make it two wins out of two in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.