A quadruple substitution before the hour mark was proof of Michael Beale’s dissatisfaction watching on at Pittodrie last night.

Skip forward 38 minutes and Scott Arfield is wheeling away to the travelling support with his second goal in as many minutes, retaining just enough composure to pull out a customary salute. With two swings of his left boot, the Canadian veteran turned a damaging defeat into a buoyant win, even if the performance shows Beale just how much work faces him at Ibrox.

“I love working with Scotty because he’s super optimistic, there weren’t many optimistic blue shirts in the last 10 minutes,” Beale said after the game.

“He was the one that was gambling, he was the one that was willing to make the run in the box and it just shows you that in moments you need players to step up in big moments. I’m delighted for Scott tonight because it must’ve been tough to miss out the last two games because he has trained ever so well.”

He amassed 1.26xG after coming off the bench and as demonstrated in the below shot map, took aim from high-value locations thanks to his intelligent movement. 

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Beale went on to suggest that the form of Malik Tillman has kept Arfield out of the starting 11 in recent games, but was this not the exact role he was supposed to fulfil when signing on again in the summer?

Now 34, his impact off the bench this year has provided some similar moments. Arfield can raise the energy levels if a game’s tempo has dropped or, as seen yesterday, provide a serious goal threat when Rangers are chasing a result.

The Old Firm semi-final at Hampden earlier this year is a perfect example, as well as his leveller against Livingston on the opening day of the season.

Substitutes are an important part of managers’ gameplans, especially now given five changes are permitted.

Arfield came into a match that was predominantly being played in the opposition's final third and therefore perfectly suited to his skillset. He offered forward runs, movements off the striker and a serious goal threat.

Aside from the front trio of Antonio Colak (0.58), Alfredo Morelos (0.7) and Fashion Sakala (0.52), no player has a higher Premiership xG/90 in the squad than Arfield (0.42) after last night.

READ MORE: Michael Beale must fix Rangers' key vulnerability despite comeback

His first shot of the game arrived after 78 minutes. Notice as Morelos peels off from the front Arfield is watching and ready to make a countermovement in behind. After a deflection, Kelle Roos is forced into a good stop.

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His second effort comes after initially dropping to receive but missing a Connor Goldson pass. Malik Tillman takes the ball in strongly and Arfield moves forward, into the space vacated by the young attacker. Another shot is well saved.

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Each of his subsequent goals originated from gambling and making runs in the box as Beale alluded to after the game.

For the equaliser as Kent tries a shot, Rangers have three players up against the three Aberdeen centre-backs. Arfield follows in and gets his rewards.

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Similarly, look at the numbers Rangers have in the penalty area just before their winner.

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Arfield is again alive and ready to finish from close range.

Yesterday's match showed the size of task Beale inherits but two wins from two won't harm confidence, especially given the circumstances. Arfield's impact shows he has a real role to play between now and the end of the season.