‘MY HEART WAS SET ON TYNECASTLE MOVE’

Lenny. #whereslafferty.’ But the former Rangers striker was instead concluding four days of talks with Hearts by signing a two-year deal at Tynecastle. Lafferty (left) insisted it would have been disrespectful to break off negotiations with another agent to have talks with Gillespie and Hibs. And he vowed to shake Lennon’s hand before the first derby of the season at Easter Road on October 25. ‘I’ve made the right decision,’ said Lafferty. ‘I’ve joined the biggest club in Edinburgh and the third biggest in Scotland. It was an easy decision. ‘Everyone knows Hibs were interested in me. But it would have been disrespectful to Hearts if I had negotiated for four days and then gone across the city to speak to Hibs. My heart didn’t really want to be there. ‘Keith (Gillespie) can come out and say whatever he wants. But I was at Hearts with my actual agent, Martin, and we spoke for four days solid. ‘I’ve no problem with Neil Lennon. I’m thrilled for him to be interested in me. He tried to sign me for Bolton but football is football. ‘I have to make a decision and if I think Hearts is the best move, then everyone has to deal with it. ‘Do I need to explain myself to Neil Lennon? I don’t think I need to do that. ‘When we play Hibs, I’ll shake Lenny’s hand. He’s a fantastic manager.’ Lafferty joked about being held hostage by Hearts owner Ann Budge during signing talks. ‘I showed Hearts respect by staying and Ann wouldn’t let me out the office,’ he grinned. ‘She told me to go in with a cup of tea and then she locked the door. The only way out was through the window and I didn’t fancy dropping three storeys.’ Lafferty insists Hearts can finish second in the league ahead of Aberdeen and Rangers. ‘One hundred per cent,’ said the ex-Ibrox striker. ‘We have a squad good enough to challenge for second. Can we win the league? Who knows?’.