Bouncebackability is a huge asset for Arfield
Scott Arfield is a player who keeps bouncing back every time people write him off.
His success is as much about attitude as it is about ability.
The midfielder found it hard to get a regular starting spot for Rangers at the beginning of this season.
He had to be content with a few minutes here and there from the bench.
But the 32- year- old played a major part in the Light Blues’ last two games, and scored on both occasions.
He hit the net in the 4- 0 victory over Aberdeen last Sunday, and produced a fine finish to open the scoring against Benfica on Thursday night.
Ibrox assistant-manager Gary Mcallister has never doubted Arfield’s worth to Rangers.
He said: “You need the right attitude when you find yourself out of the team, and not getting as many minutes as you want.
“In all honesty, the reaction from Scott has not majorly surprised me.
“Knowing the fella, and working here with him for two- and- a- half seasons, I know he’s that type.
“He’s infectious. That sort of reaction is something that has to spread right through the entire squad.
“The fact he is involved in a lot of our good play is there to see.
“There’s a big emphasis on the numbers now.
“When you’ve scored a goal, can you make a goal? He’s providing that.
“He’s providing us with something a little bit different from the middle of the park.
“Scott has that ability to run from the midthird and join the guys in front.
“He has been a nice link between the two and it has caused problems for opponents.
“Scott’s in a really good place, and he’ll be going back to his old stomping ground at Falkirk today, where it all started.
“It will be a big day for Scott going back there for this League Cup tie.”
While Arfield is now approaching the autumn of his career, Glen Kamara surely hasn’t yet reached his peak.
The 25- year- old is, however, becoming an increasingly influential force for both Rangers and Finland.
Mcallister said: “He has been fantastic, and a pleasure to work with. Watching him play for his country as well, he is growing.
“I am watching him play against some high- level countries, and he is a player that jumps out of the screen.
“Glen is a very talented young man – and I think there is more in there.
“He is getting more comfortable at this level with every game, and it is a learning process.
“He is playing for a team in a domestic league where we enjoy a lot of possession. But come these high- level games, there are times when the opponent is going to have good periods.
“That is a good learning process for a young midfielder.”
There seems little doubt that Kamara’s progress will have been noted by clubs around Europe.
That doesn’t mean, insists Mcallister, that he will be sold in the near future.
He said: “I saw Brian Laudrup touching on that recently.
“We are playing in these high- level, elite games and Glen is catching the eye. That is par for the course at big clubs.
“When someone is producing that kind of form, you are going to court interest from others.
“Come that moment when players move, it has got to be a moment that suits us.
“It has got to be us that hold the aces here, and we are not put under pressure to sell our best players.
“There is always going to be a moment, but as long as we are always in control of that. That is the main thing.”
Kemar Roofe came up with another cracker of a European goal against Benfica in midweek, and Mcallister says we’re now seeing what he’s consistently capable of.
He said: “I’d seen him quite a bit playing for Leeds United when I was still living there.
“Kemar is a player that got the love of the fans at Elland Road with his goals, but also with the way he works and his work-rate. “I think that endears you to fans.
“He came here and wasn’t quite fit. It took him time to settle, but that was purely because he hadn’t played many minutes and he’d had previous injuries at Anderlecht.
“Now I think you’re seeing somebody who is fully fit, confident and looking hungry.
“He’s looking a real goal threat and, all of a sudden, it gives us something a wee bit different to what we’ve had in the past.”