Rangers transfer news: Scott Arfield posts emotional goodbye to fans and staff upon confirmed Ibrox exit
Scott Arfield has paid tribute to Rangers fans and the staff at the club as his Ibrox career comes to an end with the expiry of his contract.
The Candian international was announced on 23 May as one of five senior players leaving this summer when the deals run out, and was part of an emotional send off in front of the home fans at the 2-2 draw with Hearts a day later, as well as away at St Mirren for the 3-0 win in his final Gers appearance (27 May).
He departs after 233 appearances, having scored 43 goals [Transfermarkt], as a reliable presence that many fans would have been happy to see stay on.
In a post on his Instagram page the 34-year-old wrote: “After five years the time has finally come to say goodbye to this incredible football club.
“I want to put on record my sincere thanks to all the people along the way from Gav & Carole at the front door to the kit men, physios & sports scientists, led by the best man at the club Davie Lavery (Disco), analysts, kitchen staff, media team, Katy & Hannah looking after us in the office, team mates and coaching staff for making this such an incredible experience.
“From 55, to Seville, the Scottish Cup win and everything else in between. It’s been some ride.
“But none are more important than you, the fans. Players will come and go but you remain the one true constant at the football club. Your support was never taken for granted. The reception I received from you on my last Rangers appearance will live with me & family forever.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure. All the best, keep smiling.
“Scotty Arf.”
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The sentiments are likely to be shared in return by all those mentioned in the post, and the supporters will wish him well for the rest of his career.
It would be no surprise to see Arfield back at Rangers in a non-playing capacity in the future, but with a few good years left and having been relegated to a substitute option at Ibrox he can get more playing time elsewhere.
With Ryan Jack’s contract extended there are more than a few who would have opted for the senior man to get the same offer, but it is moot now as he joins Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Filip Helander and Allan McGregor on the way out.
Michael Beale has had to cut the chord on a major part of the recent past at Ibrox as he looks to bring in a new generation to mount a new title assault.
He has done a solid job since his arrival in December, with the final Old Firm victory coupled with some poor results at Celtic making his record look better.
But in the biggest games this season his side proved short of what was needed, prompting major action to be implemented this summer of which Arfield’s exit is one of the unfortunate effects.
Attention will be on who comes the other way throughout the window ahead of a crucial start to the new campaign with Champions League qualification in the line.
In other Rangers news, Beale has revealed that more new arrivals are close with moves set to be “signed off”.