...Kyle will get their sympathy
Every fan knows someone with a gambling, drink or drug issue, they see the hurt it causes
HEARTS boss Craig Levein is convinced opposition fans will rally round Kyle Lafferty after the striker confessed to having a gambling addiction.
The Northern Irishman opened up about his personal issues earlier this week.
And Levein believes that supporters up and down the country will empathise and throw a supportive arm around the 30-year-old because the issues raised could well hit close to home for many.
He said: “Kyle has had plenty of stick in his career and it just washes over him. I think you might be surprised this time.
“Many people might sympathise. It’s not so much a club thing.
“I can guarantee every supporter will know somebody who has the same problems.
“There will be an empathy there if you have a friend or relation who is an alcoholic, a drug addict or a gambling addict. They will know the hurt and misery it can cause. I have no doubt there will be some who choose to direct some choice words in Kyle’s direction but you might be surprised.”
Levein praised the hitman for taking the bravest step by speaking out in a bid to conquer his off-field demons.
But he revealed nobody would have suspected anything because Lafferty has always kept his problems well hidden.
He said: “You wouldn’t know because he comes into the dressing room every morning with a big smile. He’s the life and soul of the party – all the time.
“He also works hard on the training ground, he’s a big colourful character.
“He’s managed to hide very serious problems. He’s managed to compartmentalise, if that’s the right word, and put it away for the period when he’s in training or on the pitch.
“If there had been something wrong with his training or in games you’d have said, “Right, what’s wrong with you big man?”
“He’s so effusive every day, you wouldn’t think there was a problem. I was going to say you’d never think there was anything going on in his head – but I don’t mean it that way!
“It’s an issue in society, that people don’t talk about their problems. He’s been very brave to get to the point where he needs to speak to somebody.
“He has a good relationship with Austin MacPhee so he spoke to him and then Austin spoke to myself and Ann Budge.
‘We then spoke to Kyle and his wife. It’s been ongoing for three or four weeks.
“You wouldn’t have known there was anything wrong but there must have been something in his head that brought his mood down to a pretty low level.”
Levein thanked ex-Celtic star John Hartson, who won his own battle against gambling addiction, for persuading Lafferty to go public.
Levein said: “Kyle spoke to John on Monday about whether to go public or not.
“The meeting with John was enlightening for him, to hear someone talk about the same problem he’s been, and is going, through.
“John finally gave him that push to go public so that’s step one done. It’s a long road and it will never be something he’s cured of, as such, but this will be something he can conquer.
“He’s said he wants to get himself sorted first then help others. To see a confident man, who is in a good place in his life, gave Kyle a lot of hope he can achieve that as well.”
All three major domestic Scottish football competitions are sponsored by betting firms.
But while he admitted that gambling was a wider society problem Levein was happy with the way Hearts had dealt with the situation.
He said: “When you have Ann running the company her morals and values are pretty pure. The club were only ever going to support Kyle.
“It’s not just football players, it’s right through society and it’s a huge problem if you’re in that deep you can’t get out.
“It’s like blaming a drinks company for someone being an alcoholic. If you succumb to the temptation and get hooked then that’s on you.”