Reflecting on the 24th of May 2023, Scott Arfield breaks into a wide smile.

It was a day packed full of contrasting emotions for Arfield, playing at Ibrox for the final time while being granted the chance to wave goodbye to the Rangers support.

As five long-serving players said farewell that night, Arfield’s reception stood out. Taking the acclaim years of combustible tackles, late runs into the box and salute celebrations had earned.

Despite only starting two games after the World Cup and not amassing Allan McGregor’s appearances or Alfredo Morelos’ goals, it’s always been Arfield’s down-to-earth nature, honesty on the pitch and fair share of big moments that saw him form a close bond with supporters.

Walking the circumference of Ibrox in late May individually, with a little help from Sky Sports, allowed him one final salute.

“It was amazing, absolutely incredible. My family still talk about it now,” he grins.

“I have to say I did get a wee bit lucky. I had to do a Sky interview straight away as we were doing the lap of honour, myself and the four others leaving. I did the interview and then got to really milk it by myself. It was a moment I was so thankful for.

“If you come to a club the size of Rangers, you want to make an impression and you want that respect and friendship to be replicated both ways.

“It was an amazing, amazing moment. One I’ll never forget. But I did get a wee bit lucky with that interview, so I need to thank Sky for that.”

Since May, football hasn’t really stopped for the midfielder who’s been parachuted straight into the active MLS season with Charlotte FC. During a press conference unveiling at his new club, with focus often inevitably turning to Rangers, Arfield’s warm, affable and generous with his time.

For the 34-year-old, leaving Ibrox was difficult yet correct for all parties. Michael Beale admitted that Arfield’s exit “pulled on the heartstrings” a little more than most, citing the midfielder’s desire for gametime to prolong an already impressive career elsewhere as the key reason for no new contract. A rare, amicable exit in football? Seemingly so.

“We made the decision together,” Arfield says on the end of his time at Ibrox.

“When you get older you think of the game differently but the desire and the appetite to play football on a consistent basis has never left me.

“I was coming on 20 minutes here, 10 minutes there, half an hour sometimes. It’s difficult to make an impression. Even since the manager came in I think it was two games I started and I didn’t really do it in those games either.

“It’s difficult when you are playing ten minutes here and there and then being asked to play 90 minutes because the game is different.

“I went to see [Beale] four or five times in a small space of time. It was the best decision for everybody, no doubt about it, although obviously it was hard for me, my family and obviously the manager. I think it is the best decision.

“The club has moved on now and it is in great hands. They have recruited really well and I have fallen on my feet here in terms of on and off the pitch. I am delighted.”

There was interest in Scotland and the option of staying at home held some appeal for Arfield, but the allure of the MLS proved too strong. The former Burnley player wanted new experiences in a new league, all of which he’ll now have in the USA.

“It all stems down to playing consistently, that was my thing. I want to play, I want to wake up on Sunday morning sore from the output that you put in on a Saturday. That is the best feeling – when you know you have represented your club,” he adds.

“You might have had a big moment. It is the greatest feeling to have. And I wasn’t getting that on a consistent basis. That was the biggest thing. I feel as if I have got big moments in my temperament. Technically, I think I have still got it. Hopefully, I can show it in a different league.

The former Canadian captain has already turned out twice for Charlotte FC in draws with New York City and Cincinnati. After it became clear his journey with Rangers was set to end, an American adventure was always the appeal.

“I’ve really enjoyed it. The first couple of weeks was just about training until I got the VISA sorted. Going forward, those two or three weeks behind the scenes are going to help me a lot because I got to know my new teammates,” he says.

“I wanted to stay at Rangers. I had an amazing five years there but all good things must come to an end.

“When I played in the Gold Cup with Canada and we’d go round the States, I absolutely loved it because you were seeing all the different cultures within America.

“And I’ve really landed on my feet here with the fanbase, the stadium which is amazing and the training facilities. It’s as good as any and I’m absolutely ecstatic that I’m here.

“This city has taken me by surprise. I’ve seen the full extent of it now. I played here against Cuba back in the 2019 Gold Cup I think so I knew the city a bit. But having now spent three or four weeks here, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I’ve now got a house, we’re settled in and my family is over here. Hopefully we can really enjoy it - and you always enjoy it most when you’re winning games of football so hopefully that’s what happens.

“The move was based on me trying to extend my career at a fantastic football club that would allow me to sample different cultures that I could bring my kids up in. That’s what I wanted. I just want to get going now and make this fanbase happy.

Any other benefits of a move across the pond?

“In Glasgow, I would be wearing a hat every time I went out to make sure I stayed under the radar. I haven’t had to wear a hat once,” he replies with a smile.

Now on the outside looking in, Arfield can offer his own perspective of the transfer business that's followed his exit. Given his close relationship with Beale and understanding of what it takes to be successful at Rangers, he’s well-placed to offer any analysis. 

“In my understanding, I think the manager has more than 24 hours in the day because he just gets things done. He finds time for everything,” he laughs.

“He’s personable, he’s a fantastic man, a family man, and he’s obsessed with football and obsessed with Glasgow Rangers.

“Obviously, Ross Wilson leaving and going to Nottingham Forest put more onus on him to bring those players in.

“To have him as a manager, I think every fan has to count themselves lucky. Because I think there are good times coming.

“With his backroom staff as well, and James Bisgrove and John Bennett stepping up, I think the club is in good hands now and hopefully we can see the best of it.”

For Beale, who himself joined a moving story last season, this period of time in pre-season is what he’s been waiting for to really put his stamp on the squad. Training uninterrupted by games and a transfer window to mould this squad.

“If you ask any player, pre-season is the most important thing. No one really likes to do it but it’s the most important thing,” Arfield adds.

“For a manager to get 25/30 players coming on a pre-season tour, and really put his ideas across on a daily basis in a secluded set-up, will only stand him in good stead.

“I know they’re doing runs that we used to do and hate but, my god, they helped you. They’ll be as fit as ever. And, with a manager like that, he’s just obsessed with fine details.

“Obviously last season was disappointing, but certainly with the manager there, they are as good as anybody.

“With the new players coming in, I’ve seen a few of them and obviously still speak to some of the boys. They’re saying they’ve recruited really well.

“As I say, it’s all well and good doing it in training and in things that don’t matter. But why you sign for Rangers is to really have it in big moments when big players step up. Hopefully, we’ve signed six or seven of them this year.”

Arfield’s press conference comes on the same day an old teammate of his, Leon Balogun, returns to Ibrox.

“He knows the place inside out,” Arfield continues.

“The fans really took to him, the manager knows him and has signed him twice.

“I think for Leon, he is going to fit in there. It’s competition for places. There are four centre-halves in there now and Leon with his experience, his legs and his temperament he can play for Rangers no problem.

“And if he doesn’t he will sit on the bench and really push the starting 11. It’s fantastic and I’m really delighted for him.”

The Charlotte midfielder’s own time as a player at Ibrox has come and gone, but his journey with the club feels more on pause than at an end. In time, of course.

“If anything comes up in a coaching capacity, helping the young boys in the first team even, I would jump at the chance [in the future]. But I think that’s a few years away for me now. I have a lot more in my legs and a lot more big moments hopefully.”

Lastly, the important business. Did he deliberately abstain from a team huddle at his new club?

“I don’t know what that was, but it’s Glasgow so it’s going to become something isn’t it,” he laughs when the online reaction to a photo of him with his hands behind his back during a team huddle is raised. 

“It was one of them. I don’t even know. I don’t think any ex-Rangers player has ever participated in a huddle as such. But it is what it is. We are all over the age of 12 and we can get on with things.”

Do they call it something else over there?

“No, just in a different accent!”

Arfield, like so many, has left Rangers for the moment, but Rangers will not leave him. Perhaps one day, beyond this American dream, his bubbly personality will be back in the building.

The ambition and enthusiasm to play remain so evident and will ensure any coaching journey is some way off yet. There are still some late runs into the box and customary salutes to come Stateside.