Source: Team_Talk
Goram backs Laff to fill Boyd void
Former Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram believes Kyle Lafferty can fill the void left by Kris Boyd's departure by netting 25 goals next season.[LNB] Goram rates Boyd as the biggest loss to Walter Smith's squad in a summer that has also seen Kevin Thomson, Nacho Novo, DaMarcus Beasley and Stevie Smith depart.[LNB]The Rangers manager is still attempting to buy his first player for almost two years after being turned down by Burnley winger Chris Eagles.[LNB]But Goram is convinced Lafferty can solve one problem for Smith after a slow start to his Rangers career following his £3million-plus move from Burnley in 2008.[LNB]The Northern Ireland international has generally failed to shine in a wide role, hitting just three goals last term until the start of April.[LNB]But he netted five times in the final seven matches, including the goal that clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title, in a more central role.[LNB]Smith has promised the 22-year-old he will get the extended run at centre-forward he craves and Goram is confident Lafferty will seize his moment.[LNB]Goram, speaking at the launch of a Cheque Centre branch in Larkhall, said: "Everyone has their own opinion about Boyd and his work rate but the goals he has scored are absolutely phenomenal. You're looking at 30 goals a season.[LNB]"That's where Kyle has got to step up now - he has got a great chance.[LNB]"The last four or five games he played for Rangers I thought he was fantastic up front on his own. He led the line well and scored his goals.[LNB]"I can see him getting 20-25 goals because he's in the position he wants to play.[LNB]"There are no excuses now, he's happy and I think he'll be okay."[LNB]While Rangers could do little to stop free agent Boyd leaving for a lucrative Middlesbrough deal, Smith and chief executive Martin Bain both agreed that Thomson's £2million departure was in the club's best interests.[LNB]Smith had warned days earlier that Rangers were susceptible to bids for any player, like Thomson, who was entering the final year of his contract.[LNB]With the club unable to add to their £30million debt by offering new contracts in advance, Goram feels supporters have to be realistic about the prospect of more exits.[LNB]But he feels Smith, whose squad set off for a pre-season tour of Australia today, must replace some of his departures if Rangers are to retain the title.[LNB]"If money comes in for any players, they have got to look at it, the financial situation we're in," Goram said. "That's the problem for Rangers. If they get money in, that might allow him to bring players in and replace them.[LNB]"Hopefully we can get a few players because you can't go through the season with 15 first-team players, you need 18-20 at least. In my era we probably had 24 who could come in and do a job.[LNB]"It's a shame we never got the boy Eagles. He's got a trick about him and he has an arrogance about him. That's just what we needed.[LNB]"I think he would have caused havoc up here. But I'm sure Walter has got a trick up his sleeve."
