Phil's Death Is A Painful Reminder

Jan 20 2008 By Gordon Waddell

Arfield Remembers Gowans Aberdeen V Falkirk Tues, 7.45pm

FALKIRK kid Scott Arfield watched Phil O'Donnell's death devastate Motherwell as a team and a town - and felt every ounce of their pain.

The midfield ace looked on in horror two-and-a-half years ago as pal and team-mate Craig Gowans died right next to him in a tragic training-ground accident.

And as 19-year-old Scott collected his first Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month Award last week he confessed Gowans' spirit still drives him on in every game.

Arfield has rocketed to SPL stardom this season, playing in all but one of the 22 games that have carried the Bairns into the top six.

He has also burst into the Scotland Under-21 set-up but staying humble will never be a problem.

As he prepared for the Scottish Cup replay at Aberdeen on Tuesday, Arfield said: "One of Craig's strips is framed at the end of the tunnel at Falkirk.

"Myself and Tam Scobbie always remember - a wee kiss on the hand and a touch of Craig's strip as we're going out. Never forget.

"It was my second year at the club when he died. There was a gang of us who all stuck together through it.

"And it was symbolic we all went on from Craig's team into the first team.

"Had he been here Craig would have been one of the ones breaking through.

"It's inspiring for us. It's great the club put that strip where it is and there's also a spot in the players' lounge dedicated to Craig.

"It's fitting we remember him every time we play.

"Phil O'Donnell's death brought it all back. We know how hard it hits because everyone here has been through it.

"I was there and it's an experience I'll carry with me to the day I die. It makes you appreciate what you have and I always carry it with me in the back of my mind. Craig drives us on."

Arfield's stunning form has been a huge part of a 14-game run that has seen the Bairns lose only to the Old Firm.

Yet Scott reckons his award-winning month was his poorest in the team.

He shrugged: "I thought I had played below par in December compared to the previous months.

"But I'm grateful to the gaffer for keeping me in the team when I took a dip."

The easy thing for John Hughes to do would have been to rest his young talent.

But after watching a player so driven on the training ground to better himself, Yogi knew he could trust Arfield to play through it.

And Scott revealed he spends every waking minute working on his game, including studying the midfield masters.

He said: "I heard the gaffer compare me to Scott Brown and that made me smile. I want to be compared to guys like him and Barry Ferguson. I want that drive and determination.

"I watched Barry midweek against Gretna and he was phenomenal.

"I look at what he's doing and ask if it's something I can add to my game. Then I go into training and work at it.

"I don't watch games for the sake of it - I watch guys like Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas to learn.

"Maybe it's a million miles away from Falkirk but I'm a professional the same as them.

Why can't I do what they do?

"I need to add goals. I got one at Inverness then went six games when I should have scored in every one.

"That eats at me but I practise with Arnau Riera after training every day."

While Arfield is studying the top stars he knows better than to develop a Premiership-sized ego.

He said: "My mum and brother Stewart - who played as a kid at Raith - would never let it go to my head.

"My nan, Ann Hughes, kept asking where my next award was coming from - so this one's for her!"