How have things been since Gio came in, have you noticed much difference in the training?
The new boss has been amazing, his staff’s been amazing. As players, you just have to adapt and we’ve adapted to his training and everything and just really enjoyed it.
We don’t really think about the details, we just get on with it and try and give our best and perform as well as we can on the pitch.
Have you spoken to the manager and his staff about where you would like to play?
Look, I’ll play anywhere, I’ve said it multiple times I’ll play wherever the manager wants me to play.
Playing different positions only helps me, benefits me, I learn more in different positions and will only help me get better as a player so I’m just trying to get my head down and give my best wherever I play.
How have you found slotting into that centre back position?
It’s different, you see the game from a different angle, the passing lines are different, positioning is different but I’ve got experienced internationals and experienced players around me like Tav, Connor, Greegsy and Borna so they’ve all helped me out.
They’re always communicating and every day, every game and every training session is just a learning step to try and get better in that position.
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Are you hoping to get a regular run in the centre back slot?
I wish Leon (Balogun) the best, I hope he gets back as soon as possible but I just want to play. I just want to be on the pitch. You can ask any of the boys in the changing room when they are the happiest and it’s when you’re playing on the pitch at Ibrox.
How much has the manager changed since he came in day-to-day?
It’s been similar. I can’t answer that question because you just get on with it and you don’t actually realise the changes. Obviously, you realise some changes but you just see it as you just have to learn and go with the flow because there’s nothing you can really do.
With van Bronckhorst coming in, do you see everyone stepping up their game that little bit more?
Of course, when there’s someone new in the building you want to give your best. For myself, I was in and out of the squad and when he came in it was like everyone was on a clean slate. You just want to give your best and show him how good you are and what you can give and that’s been a positive to everyone. Everyone wants to show the manager what they’ve got and what they can give so it’s taken the level of training up and hopefully we’re showing that in our performances.
What’s it like playing in front of Allan McGregor, he’s very vocal, are your ears ringing after a game?
You get used to it to be fair. Greegsy’s, honestly all jokes aside, he’s a wonderful guy, an amazing player. He just tries to help, obviously the way he says it, to other people, might look like he’s screaming down my neck but he’s just trying to help me and what he’s saying is actually good information being passed on. He’s sort of like a coach on the pitch because he’s done it for many years. He’s experienced a lot so Greegsy’s fine.
Would you like to represent Nigeria at the upcoming African Nations Cup?
Yeah of course. It’s always an honour to represent your country. Obviously, the timing’s a bit hard because we’ve got games but right now I’m just fully focused at the club.
At the end of the day if I do well here that’s what helps me get called up to Nigeria so I’m just focused on the club and giving my best performance, taking each game as it comes.
Whatever happens, when we got to that stage we’ll look at it and see what’s best for me and take it from there.
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This run that you’re on, how much is it doing for your own confidence and ambition?
It’s always better for players to get a run of games. When you get a run of games you see how good they are and I feel like my performances have got stronger and the boys have been a real help to me. You gain confidence when you play games and you win and you feel fitter so it’s just about getting that match fitness and match sharpness back. I’m in a good place right now and hopefully, I’ll just keep it going.
What are you expecting from Dundee?
It’ll be a tough game, they’re always a tough game. We’ve prepared right, we’ve done the right things so whatever the starting 11 that go onto the pitch they’ll be well prepared and ready to take the game plan out and hopefully tomorrow at five o’clock we’ll all be happy and we’ll have three points in the bag.
Is it more of a test mentally to face Dundee than facing Hibs because you might not have as much to do but you’ve got to keep the concentration levels up for the full 90?
100%, I think every game is going to be different. Hibs was more back and forth, back and forth, they had us pinned back sometimes. I don’t know what Dundee will be like, I assume they might be a bit more direct and we might have more of the ball. Until tomorrow you never know, you’ve just got to take it as it comes. That’s one thing the new manager is focused on, is making sure we’re focused 24/7 so if we keep our focus we should get the result that we want.
You’ve looked more confident recently, is that just the experience of playing that role?
The more you do it, the more you know what passes are on, where you need to go and you can anticipate where this player is going to move so you can pass it into the space.
It’s just the more experience I’m getting in that position the more confident I’m getting and hopefully, I just keep gaining confidence and keep getting better.
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