FORMER Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield has refused to be drawn on his apparent reluctance to get involved in a pre-match huddle at his new club Charlotte FC over in the United States.
Images of the Canadian internationalist looking uncomfortable taking part in the Celtic-style ritual before the MLS encounter with Cincinnati in North Carolina on Saturday went viral on social media over the weekend.
Fans of the Ibrox club were delighted by their ex-player’s unease at the situation – and the 34-year-old admitted that he was unsurprised by their over-the-top reaction
“I don’t know what that was,” he said. “But it’s Glasgow so it’s going to become something isn’t it?
“It was one of them. I don’t even know. I don’t think any ex-Rangers player has ever participated in a huddle as such. But it is what it is. We are all over the age of 12 and we can get on with things.”
Meanwhile, Arfield has welcomed the surprise return of his former team mate Leon Balogun to Rangers and predicted the defender can contribute greatly to a successful 2023/24 season.
Nigerian centre half Balogun spent two years in Govan and helped the Ibrox club to win the Premiership, the Scottish Cup and reach the Europa League final.
He was not offered a new contract last summer when Giovanni van Bronckhorst was manager and Michael Beale took him to Queens Park Rangers.
But with Leon King suffering an ankle injury in pre-season training which will keep him out for “a significant period of time”, he has signed a one year deal.
“It’s fantastic,” said Arfield. “He knows the place inside out. The fans really took to him, the manager knows him and has signed him twice. Leon is going to fit in there. It’s competition for places.
“There are four centre-halves in there now and Leon, with his experience, his legs and his temperament, can play for Rangers no problem. And if he doesn’t he will sit on the bench and really push the starting 11. I’m really delighted for him.”
