Rangers will be without the services of star man Scott Arfield for an extended period after the Canada captain’s national side continued to rampage through the Gold Cup.

Sitting in the quarter final stage against a side they’re widely expected to beat in Haiti, the Canucks are strong favourites to navigate their way to the final, with only Mexico standing in their way of a shot at taking the crown.

Assuming victory over Les Grenadiers is achieved on Sunday, the semi-final v El Tri would not be till Tuesday, and if Arfield and co overcame the absolute tournament favourites, a further week would be added onto Rangers’ star man’s absence from pre-season.

Which unfortunately means Arfield could well be ruled out of Rangers’ entire pre-season in the Algarve which obviously is far from ideal.

Naturally the crucial purpose of these camps is fitness and heat, and he will not be wanting for either of those given he’s in hot climes in sunny USA for the competitive nature of the Gold Cup, but the auxiliary use of said camps is bonding, particularly for the new recruits, and that’s something Arfield will be disappointed to miss out on.

But of course the ex-Burnley man has been around the block enough to understand the importance of experience, and while his absence from these pre-season affairs is a little frustrating, such is his critical nature to the side, nevertheless when he finally does hook back up with the Rangers squad (whenever that is likely to be) we would imagine he will fit back into proceedings like a glove.

He’s too wily and experienced not to.