“If you can’t handle the expectation and you don’t want to take responsibility then you shouldn’t walk through the front door. I’m at a time in my life where I can take that.”

This was Rangers midfielder Scott Airfield’s first statement to the club’s website when he arrived in the summer and he’s since shown that he could handle the pressure that came with wearing the Gers jersey.

The Canadian internationalist has helped the Ibrox club climb up to second place in the Scottish Premiership table and they sit just two points behind current champions Celtic. He’s also helped the Govan side perform above expectations in the Europa League.

One quick look at the SPFL’s stats centre will show you how influential the attacking midfielder has been since he’s arrived at Ibrox. Scott’s currently Rangers third top scorer in the league with five goals in his first eleven top flight games. He’s also created four assists for his teammates, only Gers captain James Tavernier has created more in the Premiership this term.

This weekend Arfield produced a combative display against Livingston as Rangers beat Gary Holt’s Livi side 3-0 at Ibrox. The former Falkirk and Burnley man finished the scoring in the 88th minute with a neat close range finish.

Scott has a strong character and that’s helped Rangers stretch their unbeaten run in Scotland’s top flight to six games. He’s usually found himself in the number ten role, in behind the main striker Alfredo Morelos, and in that role he’s always showing for the ball. He’s also fairly feisty, which sees him pressing and putting in a tackle too.

The experienced campaigner also has the knack of picking the right time to burst into the box and that’s why he’s been amongst the goals this term.

In previous seasons, Rangers have lacked players that have been there and done it.

New Gers boss Gerrard clearly believed that to be the case, as he quickly brought in a new experienced spine.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and forward Kyle Lafferty have been brought back to Ibrox, and they’ve brought with them the winning mentality that they showed during their first stints at the club. While Connor Goldson is another captain like character playing in the heart of Light Blues defence.

In Arfield, Steven Gerrard has a leader plying his trade in midfield. A sentiment backed by Canadian national team manager John Herdman who has made him Canada’s new captain.

TSN reported that Herdman said this of Arfield’s leadership qualities:

“Scott brings a super-outgoing positive energy and he’s vocal.”

The twenty-nine year old may have cost Rangers nothing in the summer but he’s proved to be worth his weight in gold so far for his boyhood heroes.

If Gerrard’s men are ready to close the gap on Celtic, then they’ll need Scott Arfield to continue to impress in midfield.

Posted on November 24th, 2018 by scott
Filed under: Article