I don’t care what Brown thinks of my celebration — he has done it for years
SAYS SCOTT ARFIELD
SCOTT ARFIELD watched from afar as Scott Brown got into the minds of his opponents and dominated Old Firm games for years.
Giving a bit back by mimicking the ‘Broony’ celebration right under his nose was not, the Rangers midfielder insists, a planned ploy.
But in many ways, it summed up the new confidence that seemed to course through Steven Gerrard’s side as they recorded that potentially pivotal derby victory on December 29.
A fortnight on, Arfield remains a little nonplussed by all the online fuss his copycat routine attracted.
As for what Brown thought of it? Well, he most definitely isn’t troubled about that. Whether or not the Celtic skipper took offence has not been a consideration.
Asked if he felt Brown was the kind to accept it, having dished out similar treatment in the past, the Canadian international said: ‘Possibly. To be honest, I am not that bothered.
‘I am not bothered about what he thinks about anything. I am worried about winning games for Rangers.
‘It was one of those things. I can’t even remember (doing) it. I got home and my mate showed me it and I have seen it 300 times now. It went mad.
‘I can’t remember when it happened in the game and I haven’t watched it back. It was spur of the moment. I think I was appealing for a foul, but I have no idea.
‘There are a few things that you need to do to win this game. He (Brown) has done it for years and probably got in the head of (opposing) players.
‘At the end of the day, it is mind games. But that wasn’t my thinking, it was to win the game.’
That Rangers did so comfortably was in stark contrast to Arfield’s Old Firm debut in September. Then it was Celtic, whose dominance was not properly reflected by the 1-0 scoreline.
The post-Christmas rematch saw the champions denied any space to breathe as Gerrard’s men relentlessly hounded their opponents.
It was a strategy most obviously effective in central midfield as Brown and Olivier Ntcham were brushed aside. ‘You have to win it there to win this game,’ said Arfield of the midfield contest. ‘If you look at the midfield three of me, Jacko (Ryan Jack) and Ross (McCrorie), we won those battles and that is why we won the game. ‘At Parkhead, we never won them and that is why they won it. In any big game, and particularly this one, it is winning key battles in the key areas.
‘Before the Parkhead game, we had the flight back from Russia (after the final Europa League qualifier against Ufa) and maybe that was a factor in our minds, subconsciously.
‘But the match at Ibrox allowed us to get in their faces. It was the same sort of performance as some of our European games — particularly Villarreal away and at home. The intensity with which we played allowed me to get up there.
‘As soon as he (Brown) starts dictating the game, Celtic are off to a flier.
‘You know you need to be up there and you know the other two players in midfield have the ability, as well.’
You might think a player so central to Rangers’ first Old Firm success in 13 attempts would want to relive every minute by poring over footage during the winter break.
Not Arfield. What he sees in his mind’s eye has been enough to sustain him. It is a policy he tends to adopt in defeat, as well as victory.
‘After the Parkhead game, I was away on international duty and I never watched that one back until a couple of weeks later,’ said 30-year-old Arfield. ‘That was good for me.
‘Obviously, we lost that match and I reflected on it going into the next game. But I got away from it and I never read anything good or bad about the game. I have done the same again.
‘I went away with the kids to Center Parcs and have not seen anything of the game back. I don’t want to watch it. It is fresh in my mind and I know what I did. I know how I played. I know how we played.’
What those memories now do for Rangers is the key. Bolstered by the additions of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, there is widening belief that Gerrard’s squad could push Celtic all the way in the title race in what promises to be a fascinating second half of the season.
‘I think the belief has always been there,’ insisted Arfield, who joined Rangers from Burnley last summer.
‘But it can take a result like that for the fans to believe. For us in the dressing room, the belief has always been there and we want to be successful as soon as possible.
‘I used to watch the Old Firm games all the time before I came to the club.
‘Of course, there has been a gulf in class over the last years. The results tell you that and you don’t need to watch the performances.
‘But I watched every one of them and, thankfully we have got the bragging rights until the next one.
‘When I walked through those doors to sign that contract, this is the game that you are naturally drawn to, the one you want to win as much as possible. Now we have done it.
‘I had the opportunity to walk off the pitch having given that to the fans.
‘That result was for all of them. They have stuck with the club through thick and thin. Hopefully, it is the start of good times.’