Former manager of Rangers star Scott Arfield, John Hughes, has revealed qualities in the player that could prove vital in Steven Gerrard’s first-team squad at Ibrox next season.
Arfield impressed supporters at the weekend deployed in a more attacking role on the left flank in support of Jermain Defoe against Motherwell, netting a superb hat-trick.
Hughes, his manager at Falkirk, is not surprised in the slightest by that, suggesting his versatility is one of his key strengths.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the Scottish Cup winning manager said:
I love Scott. I’ve been on record before as saying he is the kind of player who will end up being first on Stevie Gerrard’s teamsheet because he is a manager’s dream.
He could play right-back, trust me. He was a great right-back and able to bomb on throughout a game. He can also play sitting midfield, right-wing, left-wing and come off a striker and into the pockets of space behind him.
You look at what he did at Fir Park on Sunday and it was three good goals, really accomplished finishes.
But he is so grounded that when I texted him about his goals he replied, ‘Done and dusted. Head down. Keep working hard.’
You can’t ask for more than that. As I said, he’s a manager’s dream.That’s also reflected in the way he trains as well as how he plays.
Arfield has been played mostly in a central midfield role this season but at times has looked a bit constrained by the defensive midfield battle that inevitably occurs, even if in a more advanced position.
Is the key to unlocking his ability making him a wide midfielder whose express intention is impacting on the game in the final third?
The hidden versatility Hughes mentions could also prove vital in the Rangers squad next season, with Gerrard looking to maximise his resources by signing quality over quantity.
What do you think Scott Arfield’s best position is? Have your say in the comments below…