GARY MCALLISTER never doubted that Scott Arfield would rise to the competition for places at Rangers this term.

The opening weeks of the campaign were frustrating for Arfield as boss Steven Gerrard looked to find the right balance in the middle of the park.

With Steven Davis, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo and now Bongani Zungu all vying for a spot, Gerrard is certainly not short of options.

Arfield has more than done his bit to prove his worth, however, and netted his sixth goal of the campaign in the draw with Benfica on Thursday night.

The reaction certainly hasn’t surprised assistant manager McAllister as the 32-year-old continues to play a major role for Rangers this term.

“Yes, to find yourself out of the team and not getting as many minutes as you want,” McAllister said.

“In all honesty, the reaction has not majorly surprised me. Knowing the fella and working here with him for two-and-a-half seasons, he’s that type.

“He’s infectious. That sort of reaction is something that has to spread right through the entire squad.

“The fact he is involved in a lot of our good play is there to see. There’s big emphasis on the numbers now.

“When you’ve scored a goal, can you make a goal? He’s providing that.

“He’s providing us with something a little bit different from the middle of the park.

“He has that ability to run from the mid-third and join the guys in front.

“He has been a nice link between the two and it has cause problems for opponents.

“He’s in a really good place and he’ll be going back to his old stomping ground at Falkirk, where it all started. It will be a big day for Scott going back there.”