I want to manage in future

BY GREIG THOMAS HEARTS star Kyle Lafferty has revealed his coaching aspirations – as he hailed the managerial potential of team-mate Aaron Hughes.

The 30-year-old striker is among a swathe of senior Northern Ireland stars studying for their UEFA B Licences in Belfast this week, including Hughes, Aberdeen star Niall McGinn and former Killie forward Josh Magennis.

Ex-Everton duo Steven Pienaar and Joleon Lescott, and Champions League winner Ricardo Carvalho are also on the course.

And Lafferty is relishing the opportunity to prepare for life when he hang up his boots.

He said: “You’re a long time retired. And I still want to be involved in football after that.

“At what level? I don’t know. When I’m a bit older and have all my badges, then maybe management would be the way forward.

“I want to go into coaching at some point after I retire but it’s good to do these badges while you are still playing and know the game.

“Now I’m focusing on getting my qualifications and doing a bit of coaching.”

It’s no surprise to Lafferty that Hughes – the most capped British defender of all time with 112 games for Norn Iron – is excelling as he turns his vast experience to coaching.

Hearts are nervously waiting for the 38-year-old to make a decision on his future as he weighs up whether to retire or sign the new one-year deal that’s on the table for him at Tynecastle.

Lafferty said: “With the career that Hughes has enjoyed, we all expected him to be good – and he has been. That’s been no surprise to us.”