Scott Arfield’s cheeky finish against St Mirren was a textbook example of why some think the veteran should be offered a new contract.
The 34-year old has found his niche – coming off the bench to finish teams off – and he seems to do it with consummate ease.
Putting Ryan Kent to shame, the former Canada midfielder has nine goals in 36 appearances to the winger’s three in a third of the minutes, another damning indictment of the contract rebel.
Embarassing for the reported £7m signing from Liverpool of whom much was expected.
Arfield’s quality has never been in doubt, however, Michael Beale needs his own signings, if he is to stamp his authority on the team.
We can’t say that we need to streamline the squad but at the same time offer new contracts to veterans.
What is the latest on Scott Arfield’s Rangers future?
Rangers correspondent Chris Jack, via The Herald, reckons that it is more than his on-field contribution that should get Scott Arfield a new deal though:
“A case can be made for Arfield to be given a deal. His influence in and around the squad is invaluable, his leadership – both in his words and his actions – and his persona set him apart from so many within the Ibrox dressing room.
“Moments like Saturday show what he can still bring to the side.
“He has started less than one in four Premiership matches and only played a third of the minutes in the league but a role as an impact player, a game-changer and potential match winner, off the bench is a berth well filled.”
At the end of last season, I thought that it was time to wave Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield off into the sunset, only to see them all sign new deals.
Players, specifically, like Alex Lowry will never be allowed to develop if they have their pathway blocked by someone who the manager will instinctively turn to for the last 10-15 minutes of games.
Also, we keep talking about the “influence” of the likes of Arfield, Davis and McGregor, as if the club will fall apart without them.
With two domestic trophies in the five years that they have been together, they really aren’t that indispensable.
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