LAFFERTY IS GRATEFUL TO BE KEPT ON RIGHT PATH BY MacPHEE
HEARTS striker Kyle Lafferty has paid tribute to ‘father figure’ Austin MacPhee for helping him battle his gambling addiction — and revealed he has not placed a bet in over seven months.
The Northern Ireland international went public on the problem last September after going to the Gorgie club for help.
Lafferty was fined £23,000 by the English FA in August 2016 for breaching betting regulations while at Norwich City but has conceded his addiction became serious around 2010 during his time at Rangers.
The 30-year-old, however, has refused to allow his off-field issues to affect his performances and has netted 17 goals so far this season.
He also confessed that Hearts assistant manager MacPhee, who is part of the Northern Ireland coaching staff, has been a huge help.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rangers, Lafferty (below) said: ‘The longest (I had stopped) before I came out in September was six, seven weeks but I didn’t have that feeling that I wanted to stop.
‘I came out and, since September 11, I’ve not gambled and that’s a massive milestone for me. There are days I have that urge but I’ve got an amazing wife and family who support me and that’s an added bonus.
‘Coming out about my gambling addiction, it’s something I should have done five, six, seven years ago but then I didn’t want to stop and admit I had that problem.
‘At Hearts, Austin’s been brilliant for me, he has been there for me every step of the way and, even three, four months down the line, he’s texting me to see if I’m doing okay or pulling me to one side to see if I’m still off it.
‘I say: “Come on Austin, I am.” To be fair, someone like that, he’s been a father figure to me. I am happy I have come out and he’s been there to support me.’
Hearts boss Craig Levein has been delighted with Lafferty’s contribution on the pitch but still believes the fans are yet to see the best of him.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Levein added: ‘He’s such a great character to have in the dressing room and he can finish, he has scored some wonderful goals. But I think he can do better and I think there is more to come. Before he came here he had a spell of not playing football and he’s had a really, really good season considering he wasn’t right up to speed and I think next season he will be even better.’
Lafferty, meanwhile, has described former team-mates Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace as ‘born winners’ after the Rangers pair were suspended by the club pending an investigation into a row with manager Graeme Murty in the wake of the painful Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic.
Lafferty added: ‘You hear people talk but you don’t really know what’s happened — but knowing Kenny and Lee, having played with them, they’re both born winners and they’re Rangers guys and want what’s best for the club.’
Lafferty will be joined at Tynecastle next season by Cambridge striker Uche Ikpeazu.
The 23-year-old has agreed a pre-contract to join Hearts on a two-year deal, starting in July.
Ikpeazu has impressed in League Two this term with 13 goals and is Levein’s second attacking signing ahead of the new season.
St Johnstone striker Steven MacLean will also be joining the club for next term.
Speaking to Hearts TV, Ikpeazu said: ‘I’m delighted to be here. It’s good to get it wrapped up and done, and I’m looking forward to being a Hearts player next season.’