Despite what we’re seeing on the pitch, we’ve had, on the same day, two former Rangers players coming out with staunch defences of both James Tavernier and Connor Goldson in the form of Scott Arfield and Glen Kamara both offering major backing to these beleaguered players.
While Kamara alone would be possibly a bit overlooked such was his poor attitude in the end towards the club, the words of Scott Arfield could be taken a bit more seriously, because he’s one of us and his opinions carry weight.
So let’s have a quick look at both players’ words:
Kamara:
“Listen, everyone was nice there. Staff, fans and players. I made a lot of good friends. He [Connor Goldson] was like a big brother to me. He helped me with everything, starting with always being there on time and at the gym in the morning or after training. His level of demands was incredibly high. He made me more like him, which was a good thing. We hung out together a lot in our free time.”
Scotty:
“It’s extremely unfair. Mentality can come in many ways. Tav has played more than 400 games and never misses anything. Talk about mentality as a professional, how many would crumble at just the thought of going to play in front of 50,000? It’s a completely different thing. If you’re putting yourself on the line every time, then sometimes you’re going to lose.”
It’s very interesting that the media have found a defence of such maligned players, including from Arfield who’s held in such respect by fans, and remains much-loved.
Are they right? Arfield’s words are careful – he seems to more be praising Tavernier’s fitness and professionalism – few could argue with those sides of the ‘captain’, whereas the question is really about his winningness capability to succeed and Arfield doesn’t really call him a winner. Not even close.
As for Kamara, if Goldson was his role model, it raises two major questions. 1: does that explain everything? And 2: if he’s praising his professionalism, and following it, why did his own disappear?
Either way, we do wonder what agenda is being pushed, if indeed one is. Very strange that two of the most heavily criticised Rangers players have suddenly got big voices in the press defending them.