Michael Beale has potentially dropped a bit of a hint that Scott Arfield and Adam Devine might not be major parts of the squad going forward after both players were instead hanging with fans at today’s Rangers fanzone as hosts.
The popular Rangers pair, 33 and 19 respectively, have found their opportunities thin on the ground since Beale took charge, with Arfield mostly a second half cameo and Devine losing his place entirely once Croat Borna Barisic got fit again.
And today’s presence at the fanzone, without us aware of any major injury issues keeping the pair from being part of the matchday squad otherwise, suggests they might not be huge players going forward.
We are massive fans of Arfield in particular here on Ibrox Noise, but at the end of the day, there are only so many slots available in the squad and with Todd Cantwell especially arriving and impressing already, the Englishman has surely stolen the former Canadian international’s place.
As for Devine, his place on the bench remains useful given he can cover both fullback positions, but when was the last time either Borna or Tav were injured? Fullback is a very resilient slot, Ridvan Yilmaz aside. Albeit the Turk is probably ahead of Devine in the queue as well.
Does their presence at the fanzone mean the end? No, not necessarily – Glen Kamara hosted at one recently and he’s back in the team and starting to motor at long last – so it’s not necessarily fatalistic for their chances.
But both would have preferred to be part of the squad to face County even if only on the bench, so this is probably a subtle sign from Beale at how he sees the pair.
In truth, Arfield will do anything for Rangers – he is happy when he plays, and he’s modest enough to know his place is far from assured. He even said recently he knows he’s not an asset at the club any more, and there are bigger and more important players. His words, not ours.
So even if it’s chilling with supporters, he remains one of us.
As for Devine, unless he has a niggle we’re unaware of, he’ll definitely be disappointed to miss out on the squad completely.
It is what it is.