There was a time when the most important thing in the possession of any young Scottish player intent on breaking for the border was a return train ticket.
In the post-Bosman era, no one could honestly blame the droves who departed seeking fame and fortune in England's green and pleasant land. But there was something rather depressing about the sheer volume who sunk without a trace or swiftly came back having failed to make any kind of impact.
When Scott Arfield became the latest hot-to-trot name eight years ago, all the usual questions were raised. Another year or two at Falkirk would certainly have done him no harm.