Our old friend Football Insider/Ibrox News have reported an ‘exclusive’ claiming Scott Arfield is to sign a year extension.
There is much talk about the 10 or so players who are out of contract this summer, Scotty being one, but regardless of the integrity of the source of this information, Ibrox Noise are on record as saying Arfield is absolutely one we’d keep, one of the few who continues to add value and plays for the shirt.
He’s 34, so definitely past his very best, and yet he clearly still has a bit of time left in him, maybe around a couple of years remaining in the game before he breaks down entirely, but in truth, he’s rarely shown any sign of being truly off the pace.
The problem is he just isn’t a fixture under Michael Beale, who as usual, says one thing publicly but does another thing. In this case, bigging Scotty up but still barely using him. Judge Beale on his actions, not his words.
So he clearly doesn’t rate him much, at least, not any more, and Arfield has been reduced to a cameo under this manager.
Of course, Ibrox Noise made the argument before January that Arfield could offer as much from the start as he could as a sub, with the majority of fans being in favour of him reduced to ‘impact sub’ status.
Many supporters agreed with our case too, that he can offer plenty from the first whistle as well, and we’d be more than happy seeing him start.
But then we signed Todd Cantwell, who changed the picture completely. He is an outstanding young talent, maybe already our best player, and Scotty has no chance with the ex-Norwich man in what would be his slot. So he already wasn’t a preference for Beale before Cantwell arrived, now he has next-to-no chance!
That’s fair – what’s best for the team, and you pick your best players. Cantwell is exceptional so far, and in that position Scotty must settle for the bench, unless Beale can find another way to start him, which he’s shown no inclination to do.
If Arfield does extend, he’s one of the few we endorse this for. He will know he’s not going to play a lot, but he’s one of us and he loves life at Ibrox – he’s had 3+ years of being a crucial part of the club, and now, as he gets older, time does move on.
As long as he is happy being used when he is needed (and he’s on record as being happy indeed with that) we are more than thrilled to keep the man at the club where he belongs.