HIBS WAS NEVER AN OPTION SAYS KYLE

KYLE Lafferty insists there is no way he could disrespect Hearts by signing for Edinburgh rivals Hibs.

The new Jambos frontman has hit back following claims he slighted Neil Lennon by snubbing talks with the Leith boss to clinch his Gorgie move.

The former Rangers striker has penned a twoyear deal with the Jambos after marathon f our-day negotiations with Tynecastle chiefs and his agent Martin Lyon.

Lennon was also interested i n t aking t he Northern Ireland frontman to Easter Road but was left waiting at Hibs’ East Mains training ground on Wednesday as Laffer ty stood him up.

That meeting had been set up by f ormer Nor thern Ireland team-mate Keith Gillespie, who now acts as an agent but is not Lafferty’s official advisor.

He responded t o t he no-show by taking to Twitter to accuse the 29-year-old of being “disrespectful” to Hibs.

But Lafferty dismissed those claims as he said: “I was at Hearts from Friday then Monday and Tuesday before finally getting the deal done yesterday with my agent.

“I think it would be disrespectful from me towards Hearts to negotiate for four days and then go across the city to speak to Hibs.

“I can probably say my heart did not want to be there. I showed Hearts massive respect by staying here.”