Ex-Rangers star explains two factors behind January transfer

The Rangers hero enjoyed a return to his first club, helping them gain promotion from the Championship and featuring as they stormed into the top six in the Premiership this season. However, much of his involvement has been from the bench.

Aged 37, he felt like he still had plenty to offer at this level and has now been confirmed as a January signing for Livingston, his hometown club.

Arfield has swapped a top six push for a relegation battle but says he will relish getting more game time.

He 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 (Martindale) 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."

He is also thrilled to be joining his hometown club, as are his family.

Arfield added: "It’s absolutely brilliant. 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.”