I’ve passed one big milestone.. now for another

GOALS RATHER THAN GAMBLES ARE ALL KYLE’S FOCUSING ON

KYLE LAFFERTY arrived in Villarreal determined to break his Euro scoring duck.

But the Kesh man touched down having already celebrated a huge milestone in his life as he continues to win his battle against his gambling demons.

The 31-year-old said: “I have done a year now and it is a long road.

“At one of my meetings, one of the guys has done 35 years. I was trying to figure out why he had been there for 35 years and he said to me that he could flip and go back on it.

“I just want to take each day at a time and if I get to the second year then that is obviously another massive milestone.

“It is going to be a long journey but I have got my family and friends around me so that is going to be the most important thing.”

Lafferty is clearly more content than ever with life off the park and relishing his second spell at the Light Blues following his move from Hearts.

Yet one thing is irking him. In 16 European games for the Gers, he has yet to find the net.

Lafferty would love to put that right in tonight’s Europa League

Group G opener, with the frontman set to lead the attack in place of the suspended Alfredo Morelos (inset).

He said: “I haven’t scored in European football and hopefully tonight would be a good start.

“With the way I play, I feel it suits my game and hopefully if I get a chance tonight I can put it away. “Alfredo is going to be a massive miss for us but it gives me an opportunity to go out and show the gaffer what I am capable of doing.

“We have been away from European football for a long time now for a club of Rangers’ size and stature; this is where we belong.

“It is going to be hard and Villarreal are a good team, but we are good as well and we have got players that can hurt any team.

“It is a game we are looking forward to.”

Rangers are without crocks Gareth Mcauley, Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Jack while Morelos and Jon Flanagan are banned after red cards in the last round against Ufa.