Kyle Lafferty has spoken to the Daily Record about his search for a new club.
The 31-year-old’s Gers contract was terminated early at the back end of last month, with the striker surplus to requirements under Gerrard.
It meant his second stint with the club had lasted for less than a year, having signed from Hearts for a reported £500k in August 2018 [Evening Times].
Despite an encouraging start with a brace against Motherwell, things didn’t go to plan. In 30 appearances in all competitions, he netted just six times and dropped out of the reckoning altogether by the end of the campaign.
Former Rangers forward Lafferty wants Scotland stay
“I’d like to stay in Scotland but I don’t know what to do”, Lafferty told the Daily Record. “I’ve enjoyed playing abroad, I enjoy that type of football and the lifestyle of being abroad as my family would enjoy that but it’s not about just going somewhere hot and sunny.”
“My preference would be to stay in the Premiership and my ideal move would be to go back to Hearts as I enjoyed my time there…I need to sit down and assess things and decide my next step. We’ll see what the next chapter is.”
Verdict
It’s certainly an interesting move from Northern Irishman to issue a come and get me plea to the Edinburgh club.
Hearts have already strengthened in attacking areas this summer. As Lafferty recognises elsewhere in the interview, his international teammate, Conor Washington, is now at Tynecastle. Just last week, the club also granted Steven Naismith a bizarrely long permanent deal.
Those two players join Uche Ikpeazu and Craig Wighton as attacking options. Therefore, it’s not as if the Jambos are calling out for reinforcements. It remains to be seen whether or not he would be welcomed back either, given the abrupt manner of his departure to Ibrox.
He’s also made it difficult for himself if there proves to be no room for him in the capital. The fact that he’s already stated Hearts as his preference is unlikely to go down well with the fans if he ends up at another Scottish top flight club.
Judging by these comments, it doesn’t seem like Lafferty is on the verge of signing for his next side just yet. He’ll hope to have his future resolved soon though, with Northern Ireland back in Euro 2020 qualifying action in September.
