Lafferty aiming for the world with Hearts
KYLE LAFFERTY aims to use Hearts as a springboard to the World Cup finals after ignoring interest from capital rivals Hibernian to sign on at Tynecastle.
The former Rangers striker last night agreed a two-year contract with Ian Cathro’s side following four days of discussions with the Hearts hierarchy.
Hibs had hoped that Lafferty would visit their East Mains training centre for talks yesterday afternoon while yet to commit his future.
However, Neil Lennon was left disappointed when his fellow Northern Irishman opted to remain at Tynecastle throughout the day and finalise a deal that makes him the club’s highest-paid player by some margin.
The forward — who has 20 goals from 61 caps — admitted his international future was high in his thoughts when he agreed to return to Scotland.
Lafferty lost his starting place to Liam Boyce for the most recent qualifier and is keen to regain regular football while Michael O’Neill’s men continue their bid to reach Russia 2018.
Hearts assistant head coach Austin MacPhee is part of the Northern Ireland backroom staff, while he will also link up with 106-cap defender Aaron Hughes in Gorgie.
‘Austin has been at my ear for the last four to six months,’ said Lafferty, who will wear the No9 jersey. ‘He played a massive part in me coming here.
‘I wanted to come somewhere that I knew I would play first-team football. I have a very important year ahead of me.
‘I want to get to the World Cup with Northern Ireland, so it is important I am playing — and I’ve been told I’ll be the main focal point of the Hearts team.
‘Over the last two or three years, I’ve thrived when that has been the case and have produced the goods.
‘Michael O’Neill has turned my career around. I went from being the class clown to a recognised striker that can score goals at that level.
‘In the last campaign, I played a massive part in getting my country to Euro 2016 and I just want to kick on from that.’
Lafferty exited Rangers in 2012 following the club’s financial collapse, going on to join Sion, Palermo and Norwich City.
He claims he is now a superior striker to the one who helped the Ibrox side to three successive league titles.
‘It’s been a long time since I last played in Scotland but I think I’m more mature, more experienced and a better player than I was five years ago,’ added the 29-year-old, who scored six times against Hearts for Rangers.
‘I am excited to get going — and I know that, if I perform how I can, then the fans and myself will be happy at the end of it.
‘I came here on numerous occasions to play against Hearts — and it was always a place I hated because the fans are so passionate. I’m excited to be on the same side as them now.’
Lafferty becomes Hearts’ fourth summer signing following Christophe Berra, Rafal Grzelak and Cole Stockton, with the club still hopeful of adding defender Michael Smith and Manchester City youngster Ashley Smith-Brown before departing for a pre-season training camp in Ireland next Monday. Hearts owner Ann Budge added: ‘We are delighted that Kyle is joining us. From our first meeting there was a clear willingness and desire to make this deal happen on both sides.’ As Lafferty arrives, Hearts have released Nigerian left-back Juwon Oshaniwa. After failing to make a single appearance last season, he has now left by mutual consent. Meanwhile, Hearts have also reached an agreement to switch their opening two Premiership ‘home’ fixtures of the forthcoming season due to the construction of their new main stand. Both Kilmarnock and Motherwell agreed to reverse the fixtures, meaning that Cathro’s side will now begin the new campaign with four away games on the bounce.