Arfield insists he’s happy to be put on the spot again

SCOTT ARFIELD has insisted he can be the answer to Rangers’ penalty problems — despite missing the Ibrox club’s fifth spot-kick out of nine this season. The former Burnley and Falkirk midfielder tucked home the opener in Saturday’s 4-1 Scottish Cup win at Hamilton on the rebound after Luke Southwood had saved his effort from 12 yards. Afterwards, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard admitted he may give penalties back to captain James Tavernier, who relinquished duties after missing three times this season. New taker Alfredo Morelos saw his penalty in the League Cup final loss to Celtic saved by Fraser Forster, then veteran forward Jermain Defoe scored against Stranraer before being injured. However, despite being the latest Rangers player to be found wanting from the spot, Arfield insists he will stand up to be counted again in future. Asked if he was now the designated Rangers penalty-taker, he said: ‘I don’t know. I had put my hand up to take them but I was down the queue. ‘Tav started off and then it has gone to Alfredo and Jermain. I was just waiting my turn to see if they missed. ‘But I have taken a few penalties in my career before. ‘I hit a few at Falkirk — including in the Scottish Cup semi-final win against Dunfermline — and I took a few down south in big games as well. ‘I took one at Wembley in the play-off final, although I did miss one at Crystal Palace against Julian Speroni. ‘This was my first penalty for a while but I’m prepared to take the next one.’