The possible return of Kyle Lafferty
After last summer where Pedro Caixinha ‘knew better’ and didn’t follow up then-freed and former Norwich striker Kyle Lafferty’s ‘come and get me’ plea, it appears Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has learned the lesson and following the former Rangers striker’s outstanding season at Tynecastle/Murrayfield last campaign has made acquiring the Northern Ireland international a priority.
Lafferty was stellar in the league – showing he’s ‘still got it’ the forward racked up the goals for Hearts, the now 30-year old striker was something of a wasted opportunity at Ibrox first time around.
Frequently played as a left winger, even then-assistant Ally McCoist admitted it hadn’t been fair on the goalscorer, who by nature is not overly creative, and most certainly is a finisher.
And Hearts have enjoyed the benefits of this last season, where his goals certainly helped them to a solid fifth place finish, as joint third-top scorer in the SPL.
Reports have emerged according to STV that Rangers have tested the water with the Gorgie side, submitting a £200,000 bid for Lafferty to indicate interest.
Naturally he is clearly worth more than this, but Rangers want him and we know he’s one of us.
And that is the wisdom of Steven Gerrard making this move – by signing another player who truly knows what it’s all about, who is truly one of us through and through, he brings back more blue blood to the club, and fills it with players who not only are Rangers fans, but who have won titles and enjoyed success at Ibrox.
The signing of Allan McGregor already looks like possibly the most astute capture since 2012, and bringing in someone else who is clearly capable of playing under the pressure of the shirt because he did it before is a very wise move too.
Hearts are unlikely to let their star player go for much less than a million, truth be told – maybe even more. But he is 30 years of age and in the final year of his 24 month deal which gives Rangers some bartering power – it is evident Kyle Lafferty wants back at Ibrox, and fan response to this news has been overwhelmingly positive.
Rangers need quality up front, a guy who’s been there and done it and can provide not only ability up front, but knowledge, experience and the benefit of maturity.
He would be a great crutch for the likes of much-younger Morelos and Sadiq to fall on, and would now be a bit of a leader on the pitch.
This would be a wise signing to make, and Rangers can only be stronger for a player like Lafferty back in the XI.