FORMER RANGERS STAR SAYS HOMETOWN ATTRACTION WAS KEY TO HIS LATEST MOVE

Former Rangers star Scott Arfield says the joy of playing for his hometown and working with his mate David Martindale was a huge factor in his move to Livingston.

The 37-year-old midfielder mutually agreed to leave Premiership rivals Falkirk a couple of weeks ago and has now signed a short-term deal in West Lothian until the end of the season.

And he is relishing the opportunity to play in the top flight with his local team.

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Arfield, who has represented Canada on the international stage as his father was born in Toronto, said: “It happened quite quickly. I made the decision to leave Falkirk around about two and a half, three weeks ago, which was all really to do with game time.

“I was desperate to play. At my age, you're just desperate to play minutes. There's obviously no guarantee, but I felt as if I still have moments in my legs, so I felt it was best for me to move on.

“I had a brilliant time there, and then the manager here contacted me over the last two weeks, and then we tried to get something done. I've been in for three days, and it's been really good.

“I've known Davie for years. We've got mutual friends. I grew up in Livingston, so we've got mutual mates everywhere. I've just had that relationship going, and obviously, through the years, we’ve played against each other numerous times, and relationships have just grown stronger. Then I came in here just before the new year and we basically got it done and thrashed everything out.

"It’s absolutely brilliant (to join his hometown club). All my family still live here, outwith maybe one or two, so we've grown up here. We know what the town's all about. As special as it is for me, it's special for them.

“They don't need to travel for an hour, over an hour, four hours down the road, seven hours over to America. They can just jump on a bus here, and they'll be down in six or seven minutes. It's a great moment for them as well.”

Arfield arrives with the club rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, however, and with the club on a run of just one win in 19 games across all competitions. They are four points adrift of nearest rivals Kilmarnock with a game in hand.

But he is confident he can help create and score the goals to help the Lions claw themselves away from danger.

He said: “Obviously, we need to pick up points because the longer you don't, the other teams will go away.

“I know that, but it's about staying calm in the moments, putting demands on people, emphasising that people pay money to come and watch. You've got a duty of care to the fan. You've got a duty of care to the people that pay you wages to give everything and that's the bare minimum. So to drill that message into the team is the most important thing.

“Second to that is scoring more goals in opposition. The game is so, so simple and you can overthink so much, but you just need to strip it back sometimes. You score more goals, you win more games and make more people happy.”

A Livingston statement read: “We’re pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Scott Arfield on a short-term deal to the end of the 2025/26 season.

“A familiar face in West Lothian, Scott joins his home town club, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a career spent at the very top end of both Scottish and English football.

“After starting his early football days at local youth side Murieston United CFC, Scott began his professional career with Falkirk, where his performances quickly earned him a move to England in 2010. He went on to enjoy an impressive spell with Huddersfield Town before becoming a key figure at Burnley, helping the club achieve promotion to the English Premier League and establishing himself as a consistent performer in the top flight.

“In 2018, Arfield returned to Scotland with Rangers, where he enjoyed a highly successful period, winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup. Spells with Charlotte in the US and then Bolton Wanderers would follow before a return to Falkirk earlier this year, where we came up against Scott as he lifted the Championship trophy with the Bairns.

“Following his departure from Falkirk, manager David Martindale moved quickly to bring him to West Lothian, becoming our 4th signing of the January window. Scott will wear the number 37 shirt.”

2026-01-10T11:53:35Z