Three-goal Lafferty is the top dog for Wright
STENHOUSEMUIR 0 KILMARNOCK 4
KYLE LAFFERTY showed a bit of ‘bulldog spirit’ as he bagged his first hat-trick for ten years to sweep Kilmarnock into the last 16. Now the Rugby Park striker is targeting more goals to help Killie move clear of relegation danger — with the promise of a new furry friend from his manager should he help retain the club’s Premiership status. Lafferty’s treble against Stenhousemuir took him to six goals since being brought to the club by manager Tommy Wright, with only Chris Burke having scored more for Killie this campaign. And Lafferty revealed: ‘The manager has promised me a bulldog if we stay in the league, as long as I call it Wrighty! ‘It’s always nice to get a goal, but to get three is an added bonus. At the end of the day, though, I can score as many goals as I can — but if we are not safe by the end of the season, it’s pointless. ‘I think we are finding our feet at the right time. The club has been in the league a long time and we don’t want to be the ones to go down and relegate the club.’ It was Lafferty’s first hat-trick since netting a treble for Rangers ten years ago — against Kilmarnock — on the last day of the season when the Ibrox club won the title. The opener came from the penalty spot in 38 minutes after Lafferty had been nudged in the back by Jonathan Tiffoney. He got his second right on the break with a clinical 14-yard finish and completed his treble after a driving run by Burke. George Oakley got his first for the club two minutes from time to complete the rout. Manager Wright said: ‘He’s a big personality and someone who I have known since working with him with Northern Ireland, and someone who likes to play a practical joke. I don’t mind that — it gives the place a lift and puts smiles on faces. ‘As for the bulldog, I wouldn’t wish it on a bulldog. I wouldn’t trust him to look after it. They are lovely dogs and I have two of them. ‘He texted me during the week to breed one. I will find another way of rewarding him. ‘Anyway, he should be rewarding me for bringing him back and getting him scoring goals again.’ Stenny’s day got worse when manager Davie Irons was sent to the stand by referee Greg Aitken deep into the second half. Irons said: ‘I was only showing a bit of emotion, but Killie were the better side.’