Jimmy: Jambos a no-brainer for Lafferty
NORTHERN IRELAND assistant Jimmy Nicholl has urged Kyle Lafferty to jump at the chance to join Hearts – and wrestle back his starting spot at international level.
The former Rangers ace has emerged as one of the Jambos’ top targets this summer following his release by Norwich, with head coach Ian Cathro keen to bolster their attacking options.
While an agreement is not imminent, sources close to the capital club yesterday indicated that Lafferty is a player on their radar and talks are expected to take place.
And Nicholl has emphasised the need for Lafferty to join a club where he will be a first-team regular.
The towering marksman recently lost his place in the Northern Ireland starting line-up to Liam Boyce for encounters against New Zealand and Azerbaijan.
“The Hearts interest doesn’t surprise me at all – I’m sure there are a lot of clubs who would love to have Kyle on board,” said the 61-year-old. “The most important thing for Northern Ireland, and Kyle himself, is that he finds a club quickly, starts getting games again and scores goals.
“He has found himself down the pecking order for Northern Ireland and I’m sure that is not where he wants to be.
“He needs to be careful another summer doesn’t bypass him where he doesn’t find the right club.
“Our squad is meeting up at the end of August for two vitally important games in September and he will need to be sharp and ready. We are trying to do something special and he will want to be a big part of that.
“It has been a very long time now that Kyle has been unable to find a club where he’ll play regularly and he realises he needs to make the right decision.”