Kyle Lafferty’s Hamilton performance certainly didn’t impress anyone, but it summed up his season so far.
Alfredo Morelos’ suspension picked up in the Aberdeen defeat gave the Ulsterman a big chance. He had two free hits against Dundee and Hamilton to get on the scoresheet and get his Rangers career firing.
Instead, fans continue to be frustrated by the big striker as he remains on just four goals in 18 matchday appearances. Things haven’t been impressive from the Northern Irishman since his big switch from Hearts. As number two striker, Rangers would’ve been wanting more for their buck.
Against Hamilton, however, he must’ve been wondering how he didn’t find the net. He was denied by Gary Woods on several occasions, whilst also smacking the post from a close-range header in the opening moments. He seemed to have more headers than kicks at times, but one again struggled for confidence as the match ended without him getting his goal.
Therefore, that may very well have been Lafferty’s best and last chance for a while. Sure, Rangers won the game 1-0 to go back to the top of the Premiership, but it wasn’t a memorable day for the big forward.
Morelos will be back from now on
Morelos will now be back from suspension after serving his final game of the ban he picked up. Given Lafferty’s displays during that period, Rangers fans will be praying their Colombian manages to sort out his discipline issues.
Many can point to the fact that Lafferty scored a perfectly good goal against Dundee as a reason to not beat him with a stick. Whilst the officiating did cost Rangers at Dens Park to an extent, what did he do after that goal was disallowed? Against 10 men and a side sitting joint-bottom of the table, Rangers needed more from their front-man.
So far, it’s been a poor start to his second spell at Rangers. Ibrox supporters have always struggled to take to the Ulsterman, despite his clear links to and love for the club.
The only way he can win them over is through performances. But when you look at Morelos’ 17 goals this season, it’s putting Lafferty’s four firmly in his shadow.
Rangers perhaps got an unfortunate display this afternoon as opposed to an incompetant one from the striker. The truth it, however, that may have been big Lafferty’s last chance for a while.
