Ex-Rangers hero Scott Arfield netted a debut hat-trick to send Falkirk back to the top of the Scottish Championship table.
On a heroic return to Scottish football, Scott Arfield had the ball in the back of the net in the first minute and eventually netted three goals in a stunning 5-2 Falkirk victory.
The match marks Arfield’s return to the club where he first made his name, almost 15 years on from first leaving the Falkirk Stadium.
In a poignant afternoon, Arfield also adorned the previously retired number 37 shirt in honour of ex-academy teammate Craig Gowans who died in a freak accident at the club’s training ground in 2005.
Scott Arfield nets hat-trick on second Falkirk debut
Scott Arfield returned to Falkirk on transfer deadline day to complete a 360 in the 36-year-old’s stellar career.
And it didn’t take long for the ex-Rangers, Huddersfield, Burnley, Charlotte FC and Bolton star to make his mark.
In the opening minute of the Scottish Championship clash with Partick Thistle, Arfield made it a dream start to his second stint with the Bairns.
Finding himself free in the 18-yard box Arfield coolly slotted the ball home in the opening minute of the game after it had rebounded in the box.
In an entertaining game, Logan Chalmers equalised for the Jags before Brian Graham actually put Partick Thistle in front.
Gary Oliver was quickest to react after a penalty was saved to equalise for Falkirk before Thistle talisman Brian Graham was shown red for a second yellow card.
Minutes later Scott Arfield put Falkirk in front with a classy finish into the bottom corner of the net.
The former Rangers midfielder would then cap a magical return to Falkirk with a hat-trick from the penalty spot on the hour mark.
Leon McCann completed the rout with a header towards the back post but it was Scott Arfield who stole the headlines at full-time.
Scott Arfield hailed by Falkirk manager
Falkirk manager John McGlynn was delighted with the contribution of Scott Arfield come full-time in the Scottish Championship clash.
Former Ibrox midfielder Arfield is the man for the big occasion and McGlynn insists that the stunning hat-trick is precisely ‘why we went and got him’ in the first place.
The Falkirk boss also insists that ‘you couldn’t have written a better script’ as Scott Arfield fires Falkirk to the top of the Scottish Championship table.
“You can’t beat good players eh?,” McGlynn told the Falkirk Herald. “That’s why we went and got him. He’s had the time of his life out there today.
“He was very much up it. You couldn’t have written a better script. A hat-trick in his first game.
“The two goals from open play were great finishes and he is in the right place at the right time.
“We have a great dressing room already and he was always to add to that. He has so much experience to pass on and they can pick up his great habits.
“He calmly finished chances that previously we probably put over the bar.”
With Falkirk, Ayr United and Livingston all in the hunt for the Championship crown and promotion this season, Arfield has sights set on breaking one ex-Celtic star’s heart.
