Scott Arfield has Falkirk contract extension on the table as chief admits 'we'd be crazy not to keep him'

Daily Record

07-05-2025

Jamie Swinney has made it clear he wants to keep Arfield around for the Premiership
Scott Arfield will get a crack at the Premiership with Falkirk if he wants to, with CEO Jamie Swinney admitting the club would be crazy not to keep him.
It was one of the stories of the Scottish football season when Arfield returned to the club where he launched his career and helped guide them back to the top flight after a 15-year absence.
‌
He was part of the team that took them down in 2009 and left to embark on a storied career that saw him make headlines in the English Premier League and play in a European final with Rangers.
‌
When top scorer Callumn Morrison was sold in January, John McGlynn teased that he could do something 'interesting.' And there was a social media eruption when it emerged that Arfield was coming back from Bolton Wanderers on an initial six-month deal.
It helped galvanise their promotion charge right from the off. Arfield scored nine goals in 13 appearances on their way to sealing the title, including a hattrick against Partick Thistle on his debut – one with his very first touch of the ball.
The club hold the option to extend his contract for next season and Swinney admits they won't be waiting about to make it happen.
Reflecting on the deadline day turning point, Swinney told The Herald: 'The top goalscorer wanted to leave, we were out the cup and our recent league results had been a little bit uninspiring.
'Fast forward a week, Scott Arfield is in the door and brings a wave of euphoria.
'He was 38 seconds into his second debut and he hadn't touched the ball and when the ball rolls to him in the 18-yard box he did what he has done his whole career.
‌
'Composure, quality and his first goal before he goes on to score a hat-trick. It was Roy of the Rovers stuff.
'He is a hero to fans, what he has brought in terms of goals speaks for itself.
‌
'And what he added off the park is probably more valuable still.
'We have an option on Scott and I think we would be absolutely crazy to not do everything we can to keep him here next season.
'We have a ton of work to do for the Premiership. We have just spent five years in League One and our infrastructure is closer to League One than it is to the Premiership.
‌
'There is so much that needs done. But, listen, it's a brilliant problem to have.'
The Bairns also have no plans to part company with John McGlynn – even if Hearts come calling for his signature.
Hearts can expect the phone to ring out if they go to Falkirk to enquire about John McGlynn.
‌
McGlynn was named manager of the year in Scotland for the second season running after leading the Bairns back to the Premiership in a thrilling final day.
The 63-year-old is back in the big time for the first time since he last managed Hearts in 2013.
But Swinney told The Herald he's not even ready to consider a future without him. "If they pick up the phone, I just won't answer," he joked. "Listen, I would be very surprised if people didn't speculate over the future of John.
‌
"If anybody gets an opportunity to go to a considerably bigger club on a lot more money in football, then I think the vast majority of people can understand it. But I hope it doesn't happen. And I am hopeful now we are in the Premiership.
"In the Premiership, we hope John can achieve his ambitions with us and we can hopefully do what we wanted to do for a long time by being competitive in the top flight.
"We extended John and his assistant Paul Smith by another three years, so they got four seasons at the club and that was way before we had confirmed the league. So we have already rewarded the management team with a longer-term contract and they love it here.
"The squad love John, the fans love him. While he has had bits of success in his career what he has."