Why signing Kyle Lafferty is a move Rangers could do without

Rangers should avoid signing Kyle Lafferty at all costs should they have any ambition of getting closer to Celtic.

According to STV, Steven Gerrard has had a £200,000 bid rejected for the Northern Irish international by Hearts, after a successful first season in Gorgie that resulted in 12 goals. However, Rangers and their fans shouldn’t be fooled by the fact three of those came against the Parkhead side.

Lafferty already polarises supporters, having walked out on the club after Rangers went into liquidation back in 2012. It would make it harder for the Ibrox faithful to welcome him back, as he wasn’t always the most loved striker at the club regardless.

The big striker’s form for Hearts has blown hot and cold, and after netting an average 12 goals for the Jambos last season, his goal record wouldn’t be anywhere near enough for a Rangers striker.

With Umar Sadiq coming into the squad and looking to be the target-man, you have to wonder where Lafferty would fit in if Sadiq is everything Gerrard says he is.

Alfredo Morelos looks to have kicked off for the season with his delightful header against Osijek on Thursday night, and he’ll be looking for a front-man to help him share that goal burden.

On top of that, Lafferty remains a loose cannon. In the big games against Hibernian and Celtic last season in particular, the striker often struggled to keep his emotions in check. Particularly against Celtic, he had to be taken off in all four meetings against Brendan Rodgers’ side to avoid being sent off as he collected bookings in every clash.

Taking everything into consideration, this move doesn’t make sense from a Rangers point of view. A very average goal return combined with a lack of composure when it’s most needed doesn’t make for great reading.

It’s these factors that should make this move a no-go, and Gerrard should continue to look elsewhere for his third striker.

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