Best comparison has left Arfield bashful

Published on Monday 27 October 2008 21:59

FALKIRK midfielder Scott Arfield fears he will never be able to live down John Hughes' weekend comparison with George Best after being re-christened by his team-mates at training yesterday.

The 19-year-old earned praise for his impressive display and goal in the 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday. With Hughes saying he thought Arfield resembled a young Best at one point, the Scotland Under-21 cap insists he is delighted to be spoken about in such glowing terms.

However, after being renamed by his colleagues in training for tonight's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the teenager knows he has a lot to live up to.

He said: "The boys have been ribbing me about what the manager said and I don't know if I even heard anyone call me Scott at training. It was Bestie this and Georgie that.

"I'm sure the gaffer said it tongue in cheek, but I don't think the boys are ever going to let that go.

"It's brilliant to hear the gaffer speak about me like that and compare me with a player like that. I thought I was more like Jimmy Johnstone, myself.

"But, seriously, I'll take it as a compliment and if I can be half as good as him I'll be happy."

Falkirk will again be without defender Tam Scobbie through injury and striker Carl Finnigan with a virus, and striker Steve Lovell is banned following his red card for violent conduct against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The Highlanders already know what it feels like to win at the Falkirk Stadium this season. Dougie Imrie's late strike gave them a 2-1 victory there back in August.

Craig Brewster, whose only absentee for the match is the injured Phil McGuire, is hoping for a repeat display.

"It was a great performance that day and we need another one tomorrow night to get us into the semi-final," he said.