Achy Arfield won’t let fringe stars steal spot by resting up
SCOTT ARFIELD admits the prospect of losing his Rangers starting spot will see him play through the pain barrier for Steven Gerrard’s side this term.
The midfielder made his 33rd appearance of a hectic campaign on Saturday as the Light Blues were held to a goalless Scottish Cup draw at Rugby Park.
Arfield has been a hugely influential performer for boss Gerrard in recent weeks and months but still faces competition for a jersey at Ibrox.
He was replaced by Steven Davis for the closing stages against Killie and can’t be faulted for his effort after digging deep for the Gers once again on the back of the hard-fought win at Aberdeen.
Arfield said: “It was one of them on Wednesday, we put everything into it. Even the St Mirren game on the Saturday.
“I think everybody was the same in terms of how they were feeling but it is one of those things when you play for this club. You want to play in every competition and every game and I managed to get through 80 minutes or so.
“Of course you have to play through it and, in terms of character, everyone in the dressing room wants the same thing and to play in every game.
“If you drop out of the team at any given moment, you have a player there that can take your jersey. That is the standard in terms of character and ability in the team so as soon as you get in there, you play to keep that jersey.
“Everything is f ***** ! That is what the physio told me!
“It is fatigue, but that is what happens when you play as many games as we have on the back of the break that we had.
“We have had a tough start but we have come through it and we are in the draw for the next round of the cup. Hopefully in the replay we can do ourselves justice.”
Rangers emerged unscathed from a potentially defining week as they followed up their win at Pittodrie with a battling performance against Kilmarnock.
And Arfield is pleased with their efforts from two huge fixtures as attentions turn to the visit of St Johnstone on Premiership duty this weekend.
He said: “We had to go up to Aberdeen and win and show a different side.
“I don’t think we are fluid, the surface here doesn’t allow you to be, at the Aberdeen game was very similar.
“We have to take them to Ibrox and it will be a different game when we get there. Hopefully we can do ourselves justice.”