Scott Arfield determined to seal Falkirk title to cap career

Falkirk midfielder Scott Arfield is determined to seal a title triumph that would top any feeling he has had in his career.

The former Canada international has enjoyed Wembley play-off success with Huddersfield; two promotions to the top flight with Burnley including a Championship winners’ medal; league and Scottish Cup success with Rangers and played in a Europa League final.

But a return to the Premiership with first club Falkirk, 15 years after being part of the Bairns team that last played in the top flight, would surpass those feelings of joy.

The 36-year-old has scored nine goals in 12 appearances since returning to the Bairns in February and taking on the number 37 shirt that was retired following a training-ground accident that claimed the life of his friend, Craig Gowans, in 2006.

And he can complete an emotional chapter in his career by helping leaders Falkirk win the title if they beat Hamilton on Friday and stay ahead of Livingston, who are level on points but eight goals worse off.

Arfield said: “It’s absolutely one of the biggest games of my career and this is what we wanted – a game to win the Championship.

“It would be the most content and fulfilled I will have felt in my career if we win the league.

“This was the story that I was desperate for when the manager gave me the call a few months ago. This is what I wanted and we have the chance to do it.

“I won’t understate how much this would mean to me and the people who have been on my journey.

“From a 15-year-old kid to a 36-year-old mature player, it would mean a hell of a lot.”

Arfield will try to use his experience to guide his younger team-mates.

Falkirk looked certain to clinch promotion earlier but have conceded six last-gasp goals in their last five games which have cost them seven points.

“The magnitude of it means this is a chance to change the course of this entire club,” Arfield said.

“We understand the profile of the game but you need to try to strip it all back away from that.

“If you win, you hope it’s enough and that’s the aim. It’s up to everyone else to overthink this. We just need to look at it as another game on the journey.

“Nothing has changed. We have had disappointing nights in the last few weeks but we always knew we were still in a good place.

“We have some of the best players in the league at this club and we knew this day would come.

“Hopefully we can finish the job and get it done.”