INTERVIEW
Gerrard delighted to have former Ibrox strike hero Kyle on board for Light Blues
STEVEN Gerrard has long admired Kyle Lafferty the player. Now he will get to know the person.
In both regards, the Northern Irishman is returning to Rangers older and wiser. Six years on from his Ibrox exit, Lafferty is back in blue and determined to make headlines for all the right reasons.
It is for the title winning goals and the Old Firm performances that the striker is most fondly remembered by Gers fans but controversy was never far away during his first stint with his boyhood heroes.
Back then, Walter Smith was the ideal man for Lafferty to work under and learn from and now it is Gerrard that will look to get the best out of the 30-yearold after he completed his move from Hearts.
The experience gained from spells abroad with Sion, Palermo and Çaykur Rizespor and in England at Norwich and Birmingham have expanded Lafferty’s horizons. His goals for Hearts have shown he still has plenty to offer.
“I’ve made no secret how much I rate the player,” Gerrard said. “He’s someone players don’t like playing against and he knows what this club is all about in terms of success and what it takes to achieve it.
“I know he’s been a bit raw and a bit naive at times in his younger years but so was I, I have no problem with that. I love players that play on the edge but I want them to play on the edge when it’s right and not wrong.
“I’m still learning about the person and being educated about the person. Look, we’re all human beings and we all make mistakes – I’ve made plenty.
“However, with age and experience we mature, although I’m still trying to do that by the way! I have no problem with players who play on the edge, and now and again get it wrong.
“I’ll stick with those players all the time. I’d rather be surrounded by players who want to give you everything they’ve got and now and again get it wrong than players who are just not capable of playing on the edge and playing on a consistent basis for a top football club.”
One of Lafferty’s final acts for Hearts was to score the only goal of the game in their win over Celtic at Tynecastle earlier this month. On the big occasion, the giant striker came to the fore once again.
Like Allan McGregor, he brings a nous and a knowhow to the Ibrox squad that has been lacking for some time and past title and cup successes will undoubtedly stand him in good stead.
“If you’re not a big game player you’ve got no right to be here,” Gerrard said. “If players are not big game players for me they won’t be around for long and won’t even come in the door.
“It was a very important part of my decision. I knew I would have to make a lot of changes to my squad in terms of personnel and I knew a lot of them would be young. The reason I wanted Connor [Goldson] and Allan McGregor was to have an experienced spine who know what winning football matches is all about and Kyle ticks those boxes.
“He’s proved that of late but also for many, many years. He’s an international footballer and I predict he’ll be a big player for Rangers.
“We’ve got a happy footballer who is desperate to contribute and, as a manager, that’s brilliant.”
If Lafferty can roll back the
‘‘ I predict he’ll be a big player for Rangers