Kyle Lafferty and Northern Ireland haven’t quite got on over the last month or so. Now, however, there appears to be reconciliation.
The Rangers forward failed to turn up for international duty last month in a long-running saga. After telling Michael O’Neil that he wouldn’t be joining the night before the squad met up, the nation was furious.
It ended in Northern Ireland using a rare FIFA clause that allowed them to block Lafferty playing in a match for Rangers. It looked like there was a darkness brewing over Lafferty’s future with Northern Ireland.
Now, however, those issues appear to be in the past. The Rangers striker made a late cameo in the defeat to Austria at Windsor Park last night. Lafferty appeared for the final 15 minutes when he replaced Liam Boyce. He couldn’t, however, stop his country from slipping to a 2-1 home defeat to the Austrians. This followed another cameo against the Republic of Ireland.
What it does mean, however, is that this dark cloud that was hanging over Lafferty is gone. His international future has been secured, and he can begin building bridges with the nation once again.
It’s also a boost for Rangers, as Lafferty has never recovered from the international saga to produce at club level. Instead, he’s been sitting and taking a back-seat as Alfredo Morelos outshines him.
Goal-burden simply must be shared
Whilst the Colombian is doing a sensational job these days, he can’t have the burden place solely on him. It’s important not to go over old ground too much, however. Lafferty knows the importance of his role at Ibrox, and now is the time for him to step up.
In a sense, there’s no more excuses from the former Hearts man. His international demons have been put to rest, whilst a huge period of games await Rangers.
When Steven Gerrard signed up Lafferty, he will have been looking at this tough run of fixtures as a period when he would’ve been expecting his new man to perform. In truth, however, outside of a brace at Motherwell, Lafferty has failed to stand out in any of his appearances.
It’s tough to say what the problem with the forward was. There’s a clear player in there, and when he’s confident and on-form he can be a real handful.
If it was to do with his international woes, however, then that excuse is now dead. Lafferty and O’Neil have patched things up, and things look rosy between the pair once more. He’ll be a huge figure for his country in the coming years, and doesn’t have to ponder his international future anymore.
Instead, it’s time he focused all of his attentions on the matter at hand with Rangers. Making an impression in December has to be his number one goal.
