That news that Scott Arfield has withdrawn from the Canada squad for their upcoming fixture against French Guiana, can only be a positive for Rangers.
Had he been involved, the £2.25 million rated midfielder would have faced a 4000-mile return journey from Vancouver to Glasgow, just a matter of days before the upcoming Old Firm clash.
This is more than just a matter of jet lag, though.
The 30-year-old is an influential player for the Gers. Despite not being quite as effective in 2019, as he was over the first half of the season.
However, he’s still an experienced performer and one of Gerrard’s finest summer additions.
Anytime his misses out through injury, his absence is keenly felt. Recently, though, this persistent calf problem appears to be holding him back.
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Hopefully, after this latest development, he will now have sufficient time to put the problem to bed.
While Rangers undoubtedly want their players to go and test themselves at international level, in this instance, a couple of weeks off should do Arfield the world of good.
He was a stand out performer during the last Old Firm win. The 30-year-old dominated Scott Brown that day and a repeat performance at Parkhead, is pivotal to Rangers’ hopes.
Eight league fixtures are all that remain this season. That’s not a huge amount, but it would seem like it, to a player carrying a persistent niggle.
A fresh, fully fit Arfield is a big asset for his manager. Stepping away from international duty shows the Gers are his main priority and that he wants to put his best foot forward during the run in.
