Arfield Shoots Rangers Into Europa League KO Stages

It was a good day for a couple of Canadian internationals in the fifth round of the Europa League group stages yesterday.

Scott Arfield now firmly re-established in Steven Gerrard’s Rangers starting XI struck the winner after his team were forced to come from behind twice against an enterprising Standard Liege who needed nothing less than a win.

The Belgians pushed Rangers all the way, but Arfield managed to latch onto a great pull-back from Ryan Kent midway through the second-half before directing past Bodart in the Liege goal.

Gerrard was full of praise for his Canadian international after the game. Asked if it was difficult to leave Scott Arfield out at the moment due to his current form, he replied: “Oh he’s in, he’s in. If you play like Scott Arfield and perform like he does on a daily basis and put in what Scott puts in you’ll stay in the team.

“Of course, we’re going to have to look after him at certain times. But Scott’s in on merit - don’t let anyone tell you anything different.”

The goal confirmed Rangers place in the last 32 and a guaranteed €500,000 pay-out. Should they win their last game against Lech in Poznan next week, they’ll scoop another €500,000 for being group winners and enjoy seeding status for the knock-out draw.

It’s been quite a season for Gerrard, Rangers and Arfield, who have yet to experience defeat in any competition and lead the Scottish Premier League by 11 points from bitter rivals Celtic.

Meanwhile in Belgrade, Canadian international goalkeeper, Miljan Borjan kept a clean-sheet, his second in-a-row for Red Star Belgrade, as they held group leaders Hoffenheim 0-0 in each club’s penultimate group game. The point apiece ensured Hoffenheim top spot and seeding in the draw, while Red Star go through as group runners-up.