ian1964 10,447 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 By Andrew Dickson KYLE LAFFERTY has told Walter Smith he's ready to lead Rangers' attack in tomorrow's Old Firm derby with Celtic. The Northern Ireland hitman is being tipped by many to make his first derby start at Parkhead, either as a lone striker or as one of two players up front. Kyle LaffertyLafferty has enjoyed an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, scoring three times off the bench in his last five competitive appearances for the Light Blues. In his last outing against Dundee United, his introduction changed the game and he looked really comfortable in the front line. Now he could be handed a starting berth there against Gordon Strachan's team and insists he's primed for action. Lafferty, 20, said: "It would be nice to be in the team. It's a big game for the club and if we win we'll go top of the league so it would be great to be involved. "I just want to play football but if the gaffer throws me on up front, I'll be delighted with that because that's my position and I want to play there. "I felt I did pretty well there in the last game with United and I got a goal as well which was good. "Everyone probably sees from the way I play that I'm much happier when I'm used as a striker and I want to prove myself in that part of the pitch. "Whether I'm there myself or with someone else, I'll do what's asked of me and I don't mind what job I'm given." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I really hope he gets his wish in a 442 !!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,447 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 4-1-4-1 -------------Shagger--------- Kirk----Weir----Boogie-------Papac ------------McCulloch----------- Davis----Mendes------Fergie------Fleck --------------Lafferty------------ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 That's what i'm expecting Ian. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,447 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 That's what i'm expecting Ian. Aye, that's what I think we'll see tomorrow 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,354 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 4-1-4-1 -------------Shagger--------- Kirk----Weir----Boogie-------Papac ------------McCulloch----------- Davis----Mendes------Fergie------Fleck --------------Lafferty------------ I really think that could work well. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I really think that could work well. I'm not convinced. Hope i'm wrong. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,447 Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 RANGERS midfielder Steve Davies last night backed Northern Ireland pal Kyle Lafferty to silence his critics and star against Celtic. The Ibrox side travel to Parkhead for today’s crunch Old Firm clash, with boss Walter Smith likely to operate his favoured 4-5-1 formation. Kenny Miller has shaken off his hamstring injury and could feature as lone striker rather than Rangers goal machine Kris Boyd, who has scored only once against the Hoops since he arrived from Kilmarnock in 2006. But Davis, 24, is confident that Ã?£3.2million striker Lafferty could also do a job in attack as he bids to score his second victory at Parkhead this season. Davis said: “We’ve got different options up front. I don’t know who the manager is going to go with but if Kyle is picked I’m certain he will do well. “Because he’s so tall, people assume he’s a target man, but there is a lot more to his game than that. He could definitely do a job for us if the gaffer chooses him. “His favourite position is up front and that’s probably where he plays best. “Up until now, Kyle’s had a few niggling injuries which have kept him out the team. He has mostly played on the left as Boyd has been playing so well and scoring lots of goals. “In the last couple of games the gaffer has brought Kyle on and he’s done well. He’s going to be a great player for us and you can see already that he’s starting to settle in. “Some people forget that he’s still only 21. Kyle’s come off the bench a few times and scored some important goals.” While Davis backed his fellow Ulsterman to shine, he insisted he was happy to play in the formation that brought Gers so much success last year. He added: “You saw last season that formation, especially in Europe, worked very well for us. “If we had gone 4-4-2 in most of those games we probably wouldn’t have got anywhere near the final and the manager is experienced and knows his tactics well and will have us set up correctly for the derby.” Davis is delighted today’s match has come quickly after the 1-0 home defeat to the Hoops in December. And the midfield ace is hoping Rangers repeat the form they showed at the start of the campaign when they travelled to Parkhead and thrashed Celtic 4-2. He said: “The last time we went to Parkhead we won pretty comfortably and we probably played our best game away from home this season there. “Hopefully, we can go there again and get the victory that we need. “Our performances have been quite good as a team recently, especially in midfield where Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes have shown they can play together. “Both Rangers and Celtic just want to get the title and we are all hungry to bring the trophy back to Ibrox. “But regardless of the result, Rangers and Celtic will still drop points so it’s not going to have an overall effect in deciding the title.” 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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