When Kyle Lafferty joined in August, it was to much fanfare. A former hero, given a shot at redemption.
It was the return of a Rangers man in the midst of a revolution. A big game player with the ability to slay Celtic. He joined for next to nothing – it was the perfect move.
But Lafferty has hardly got off the bench since signing for the club.
He’s only made 11 appearances and despite scoring four goals, hasn’t had quite the impact we hoped he would.
What’s happened to the big man since he’s come back?
Is Kyle Lafferty distracted off the field?
Whilst it’s true Lafferty is never likely to depose Alfredo Morelos as Rangers leading man, he should still be making a bigger imprint on this team.
A versatile forward, Lafferty also bleeds red, white and blue. He’s just happy to be on the field when we’re playing. He can play up top alone, in a two or even on either flank.
But off-field issues have proven a considerable distraction for the striker. There was the Northern Ireland fiasco – where the striker was punished for pulling out of the squad – and there have been other non-footballing scandals.
The focus hasn’t been on what the Northern Irishman does best. It hasn’t been on the football. That said, there has been an improvement in his situation internationally.
In the coming months, Kyle will be required to play a bigger role for the team. If he can get his head back onto on-field matters, we will have a dangerous player.
But he needs to kill the off-field distraction and focus.
