John McGinlay has backed “big game player” Scott Arfield to make his mark at Wanderers this season.

Former Burnley and Rangers midfielder Arfield arrived at the Toughsheet Community Stadium earlier this month following a stint at MLS club Charlotte.

The 35-year-old - who played the second half against Fiorentina - is used to the big occasions, having spent several seasons in the Premier League at Turf Moor.

He was also part of Rangers squad that reached the Europa League final in 2022 and has even captained Canada on the international stage.

McGinlay has been excited by the new additions so far as the Whites aim to bounce back from their play-off final heartbreak at Wembley. Chris Forino, Luke Southwood and Klaidi Lolos are the other arrivals since the start of the summer window.

The Wanderers legend recently interviewed Arfield for the club’s official channels and insists the midfielder is “hungry” for the upcoming campaign.

“I think we are improving,” he told The Bolton News. “We already have a good squad but we are certainly strengthening it now.

“Scott Arfield, in particular, I think is a huge signing for us. He is a leader, he is a big game player. I think he is going to bring a lot to the table and he has got me excited.

“He is a good professional and looks after himself, he is in good nick. He is hungry and ready to play.”

McGinlay was speaking at the Bolton Wanderers Remembrance charity fundraiser at Atherton Colls.

The Scot took charge of a team made up of former professionals and local sportsmen including Filipe Morais, Jem Karacan and Alex Murphy.

It was another successful event, raising money for a number of good causes in the local area and further afield.

McGinlay still has plenty of involvement in the community as part of his role as club ambassador and was a regular commentator on WanderersTV last season alongside Derek Clark.

He enjoyed the chance to see some familiar faces and thanked the supporters who came along to watch at the Skuna Stadium.

“It is a great event,” McGinlay added. “People are coming for the right reasons and it seems to be growing each year.

“It was an honourable 4-4 draw and there was some good football played. The guys who have given up their time – Jem Karacan, Filipe Morais, Nicky Hunt – it is great for these guys to play along good professionals and it makes their day.

“They get something out of it because it is a pleasure and privilege to play with these guys. It has been a great day for everybody, they have raised a lot of money and the weather was kind to us.

“We say it every time, I don’t think we see each other enough but when we do meet up, it is like we have never been away from each other.

“You have to thank all the supporters who came out because they make the event. Without them, it is not the same atmosphere and you certainly don’t raise the same amount of money.”