Sone Aluko will always be welcome back at Rangers.
In fact, had the events of 2012 not happened we’d perhaps be speaking about the Nigerian international winger in even more complimentary terms than we already do.
The pacey forward retains a place in the hearts of Rangers fans for his contribution at a crucial moment of Rangers history and for that, Sone Aluko won’t be shy of a pint on Paisley Road West.
In the 11/12 season, the winger scored 12 goals in 23 games including a stunning solo goal in a 3-2 win over Celtic that stopped our Old Firm rivals winning the league at Ibrox.
Now, some 12 years on from that moment, Aluko is hanging his boots up once and for all.
And just when it looked like he might fancy one final crack at the Premier League.
Ipswich star Aluko retires from football
Ipswich Town have announced that Sone Aluko will be retiring from football following the completion of the Championship season.
The Tractor Boys have earned promotion back to the Premier League with 35-year-old Aluko propping up the club’s squad alongside fellow ex-Gers George Edmundson and Dominic Ball.
Having played a small role in the club’s promotion to the top flight this campaign – Aluko playing two minutes of Championship football this season – Ipswich have thanked the winger for his contribution.
The news brings down the curtain on a 17-year playing career, which started out at Birmingham City.
Coming through the youth ranks at St Andrew’s, Aluko also turned out for Blackpool, Aberdeen, Hull City, Fulham, Reading, and Beijing Renhe on top of Rangers and Ipswich.
Fellow ex-Rangers star hangs up boots
Sone Aluko also isn’t the only ex-Rangers player who has been announcing his retirement in recent days.
Former Ibrox midfielder Andy King – who had a brief and ultimately unsuccessful stint at Ibrox on loan from Leicester City in 2019 – has officially hung up his boots.
The Bristol City star took to social media in a lengthy statement to announce his decision and given King’s loan deal was cut short at Rangers after five games, you’ll be unsurprised to hear the Gers weren’t mentioned.
A Premier League winner with Leicester City in 2016, the 50-times capped Wales midfielder rose up through the ranks with the Foxes and is considered a legend at the King Power Stadium.
Whilst Rangers fans will more fondly remember Sone Aluko’s contribution to the club, we’re sure they will also be wishing Andy King all the best as he hangs up his boots.
