SCOTT Arfield knows exactly when he will consider hanging up his boots.
The Scottish midfielder, signed by Bolton Wanderers this summer to add experience and guile to their League One promotion push, says he will call it a day once he stops enjoying himself.
About to re-enter the 18th chapter of a successful career, Arfield has already been through one pre-season in MLS with his former club Charlotte. But after making his first public appearance in a Whites shirt in defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday, the 35-year-old says he is relishing the challenge to start again in League One.
“I love doing what I do,” he told The Bolton News. “Since I was 16 years old I have promised myself that I’d try and play as late as I could, play to 40, that’s what I want.
“The biggest thing for me is to keep enjoying it. People will tell you that pre-season is a grind, and there’s no doubt about it, it’s hard. This is my second one in five months because they start a bit earlier in January over in the US.
“You still love it. You get experience and you learn that results aren’t the be-all and end-all at this time of year. I have had some terrible pre-seasons where you can’t win a game but then gone on and had a great season. It has worked the other way as well.
“I think you grow to not read much into the scores and just look at the fitness and the bits and pieces you’re being asked to do. It’s all about when the big stuff starts.”
Rangers fans show their appreciation to Scott Arfield in his final game in May 2023 (Image: PA)
Arfield left Rangers a hero in 2023 having played 233 games for the Glasgow giants and scored 43 goals. His two seasons in America for the newly-established MLS franchise of Charlotte were solid – the team finishing ninth in his first season and currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference under ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith.
The midfielder played 33 times in the Queen City before answering Bolton’s call and moving back to the UK but he says comparing the standard between the two leagues is a difficult call.
He said: “It’s a very similar standard, I think.
“The league in MLS is very physically demanding but certainly what I have seen of this division players learn to keep the ball a bit better than over there. They have got some fantastic players but it is often a case of getting the ball to the front players and seeing if they can make a difference. Here, it is about getting it, keeping it and trying to rotate.
“It is quite hard to compare the two in that aspect but it is great to be back.”
Saturday’s friendly against Boro in Bishop Auckland finished on a down-note as Wanderers conceded three goals in the last half-hour following a raft of changes from the bench.
Injuries have prevented Ian Evatt from playing his strongest team in the opening two friendlies, but Arfield has played down the importance of results as they travel up the road to Chorley for the third outing tonight.
“It’s always good to get in and the more minutes you clock up the fitter you get, so that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“There are certain movements and rotations that need to get better but that’s what these games are for. We have a few more of them now before the real business starts, so it’s important we use them to iron out any issues.
“The big stuff starts at Leyton Orient so everything we do to that point is building up to that one.
“As a club we know what we want to do, we want to get promotion. I’ve said before, I’m not worried about having that pressure. Right at this minute the results aren’t the important thing for us, it is just steps along the way.
“The manager wants to try out certain things with the senior players and it has been difficult with a few of the lads being out but it’s good experience for the young boys to come in and try to make an impact.
“It’s there for them, the first team, that’s their aim, so hopefully they can carry on progressing.”
Tickets have been put on sale for Wanderers’ final pre-season friendly at Port Vale on Saturday, August 3 (3pm kick-off). The club has been given an allocation of 1,389 tickets at Vale Park, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
Discounted travel is also available through the club at a cost of £14, with coaches leaving the Toughsheet Stadium at noon.
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