Laff a minute Rory: Crazy Kyle’s put a smile back on our faces
HIS manager dubbed him a nightmare and his strike partner says he’s a dressing-room terror.
But after this display from Kyle Lafferty, it will only be Motherwell’s defence waking up in a cold sweat.
Whatever you think of the Rugby Park rascal, there’s no doubt Lafferty has given Kilmarnock a much-needed jolt in the battle to beat the drop.
The hitman made it three goals in his last two games as he fired Killie into an early lead to help end a brutal run of 10 games without a win and climb off bottom spot.
He played a crucial part in Rory McKenzie’s second and Mitch Pinnock’s clinching fourth goal as Chris Burke squeezed in the third to hand Tommy Wright his first win as boss.
And according to McKenzie it’s last month’s arrival of Lafferty – described by Wright last week as a “nightmare to manage” due to his daily pranks – which has produced a spark on and off the park at just the right time.
McKenzie said: “He’s added a bit of something. Nothing that can be repeated! I’ve met a few like him but he’s wild. It genuinely has helped.
“He’s like a wee cheeky schoolkid. He gets away with things but he’s funny and brings everyone into it.
“At a time when we’ve been down, he has been a good person to have about and helped to lift the spirits.”
McKenzie was moved into an advanced position just behind
Lafferty on Saturday and the little and large duo gave the Well defence a torrid time.
McKenzie added: “Kyle has so much quality, can hold the ball, score from anywhere and has added so much to the team. He might be the difference.
“He’s so big but also so good on the ball. He can win it in the air but you also see the way he brings it down on his chest – he’s a handful.
“I’m just happy to score and we got the win. I thought I’d be more excited but it’s more relief than anything. It’s been that long.”
Lafferty took just over a minute to smash Killie ahead with a turn and left-foot shot from 25 yards.
While impressive, it still should never have beaten Liam Kelly who was left with his head in his hands.
Barry Maguire equalised six minutes later with his first goal for the Steelmen, slotting home the rebound after Colin Doyle saved Jordan Roberts’ header.
Killie raced back in front shortly after the break. Lafferty’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked but squirmed into the path of McKenzie who rounded Kelly to knock home.
Killie went for the jugular and Burke made it 3-1 with his eighth goal of the season.
Pinnock’s cross from the left evaded the Well defence and found the 37-year-old at the back post, where he leathered a shot high into the top corner.
Pinnock put the gloss on a vital victory when he raced on to Lafferty’s perfectly weighted pass to slot past Kelly in the 83rd minute.
McKenzie said: “It has been a tough season for everyone and that has just been compounded by being bottom of the league.
“We just want to finish the season well, stay up and start again.”