The Northern Ireland Lafferty story has been raging all week. After the lanky striker pulled out at the 11th hour, it really cheesed NI boss Michael O’Neill off.
Even if Lafferty’s intentions might’ve been in the right place.
Apart from O’Neill taking on the role of an angry parent and saying he was “disappointed”, the IFA took the unprecedented step of preventing the striker playing for Rangers. They did this by blowing dust off the FIFA rule book and invoking an ancient rule from the regulatory scriptures. Ye shall not play within five days of an international break ending.
I don’t think anyone saw it coming. Least of all Lafferty.
But far from wade into the debate with the IFA, Rangers have taken a step back. This, it seems, is not the Club’s fight. Although the fact Northern Ireland’s international break ended five days before the match is up for debate. It seems hell hath no fury like a Michael O’Neill scorned.
Northern Ireland Lafferty statement kept short and sweet
Rangers take on the entire thing amassed the sum total of 55 words. The club are clearly not giving the press anything to play with. No dramas is the sound coming out of Ibrox recently and fans will be loving it.
God knows we’ve had plenty.
The club have said that “Kyle did not comply fully with international protocol” and they’d held talks with all parties. They also say they understand the position of the Irish FA.
The statement ended by saying Lafferty remained available for international selection.
Even if we won’t be seeing him against Hamilton, we can fully expect the Northern Ireland Lafferty love affair to continue at the next international break.
