Rangers have reportedly reignited their interest in Kyle Lafferty and know what they will have to pay to bring the Northern Irishman back to Ibrox before the transfer window slams shut.
Former Ger Lee McCulloch has had his say on Lafferty’s return and offered some great insight into what the Hearts striker would bring to Steven Gerrard’s dressing room.
Some – your writer among them – may think that an older man like Lafferty is at odds with Gerrard’s new high-tempo approach at Rangers, but McCulloch’s insights outline his potential worth.
He wrote for the Evening Times: “He knows what life at Rangers is all about and that is something you can’t underestimate when you are signing players.
“Hopefully it is only a matter of time before the move is completed because I know how much it would mean for the big man to come back to Ibrox. Off the park, he was a bit of a loony!
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“But he was great for team spirit and great for the dressing room and you hear Craig Levein talking that way about him now as well.
“I think he has had his problems in the past but you are getting a different player this time around and he will only benefit that dressing room if he signs. He certainly isn’t a bad egg and I think he will fit into that group of players well and become a key member of the squad and the team. This time around, you are getting a more mature Kyle Lafferty.”
That insight into a player who has attracted negative attention into a past outlines why Gerrard is so keen to get Lafferty and why any potential fears could well be allayed if he did return to Ibrox.
The more winners and positive influences Gerrard can get into his new-look Gers side, the better and McCulloch is sure that Lafferty fits the bill.
He seems sure that Gerrard will match the asking price sooner rather than later and on the basis of his glowing recommendation, that return could become a roaring success if it goes through.