Glasgow Rangers get big Scott Arfield injury boost before Kilmarnock clash

by Tom Ward

3 minute read 13/2/2021 | 09:33am

Glasgow Rangers could have Scott Arfield fit for their clash with Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.

What’s the word?

The midfielder was absent for the Scottish Premiership draw at Hamilton Academical that saw Rangers surrender the lead.

Arfield has missed the past seven weeks of action for the Light Blues having last played against Hibernian on Boxing Day due to an ankle injury.

Joe Aribo has stepped up in his absence to calm any concerns from Rangers fans, as he has provided a goal and an assist in his past four Premiership fixtures, although Bongani Zungu’s struggles at Ibrox have continued after an abject performance against Hamilton.

Should Scott Arfield start against Kilmarnock?

Yes!

No...

However, Steven Gerrard has confirmed Arfield could feature against Killie, as could Jermain Defoe with the striker not playing since the 5-0 win over Ross County on January 23.

Gerrard said: “Scott was back and it was great to watch him bring enthusiasm back and see him smiling again. He seems close to being ready to go, but has been out for seven weeks.

“Kemar will miss the game and Alfredo serves his last game. Jermain has been out for two or three weeks and will come into the squad so we are in a good place in terms of health and availability but we have a couple of suspensions to serve.”

Huge boost for Steven Gerrard

Gerrard confirming that Arfield could be fit to face Kilmarnock will come as a boost for the Light Blues following a mixed run of results for the Premiership league leaders after Rangers opted against strengthening in the midfield in the winter transfer window.

The Gers were linked with a plethora of options to add depth behind the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, with Preston’s Daniel Johnson, Bournemouth’s Jack Wilshere, Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour and Coventry City’s Gustavo Hamer among their reported targets.

However, the Ibrox hierarchy ultimately decided against splashing the cash on a temporary replacement, which could work well in their favour if Arfield is able to hit the ground running after recovering from injury.

But the fact remains that Gerrard now faces one of the biggest selection headaches that the 40-year-old has had to deal with since taking charge of Ibrox.

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For now, Aribo, Glen Kamara and Steven Davis are Gerrard’s preferred midfield three, with the trio all starting against Celtic in the second Old Firm derby of the season.

The Finland international himself has started 20 out of 28 Premiership fixtures this season so is a safe bet to start against Tommy Wright’s team, whilst Davis is expected to replace the struggling Zungu at the base of the midfield.

Instead, Arfield may come in for Aribo, but dropping the Nigerian would be an incredibly harsh decision off the back of his recent performances.

The 32-year-old is clearly held in high esteem by the manager, but he’s got to consider his options carefully before making such a cut-throat decision.

We don’t envy him the decision, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Bongani Zungu is starting to run out of time to impress at Glasgow Rangers…