Source: Team_Talk
Kyle relishing Champions League bow
The Rangers forward is desperate to realise his ambition of playing in the competition when Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni visit Ibrox on Tuesday night.
The Northern Ireland international has endured a miserable start to the season, sitting out the opening three Scottish Premier League games through suspension, before suffering injury while on international duty.
He made his first appearance of the campaign for Rangers in the Old Firm derby triumph a fortnight ago but, while thrilled to have played a part in the 2-1 win over Celtic, concedes that looking on from the sidelines as the Scottish champions faced Stuttgart and Sevilla in Europe's top club tournament was hard.
He now hopes to force his way into Walter Smith's plans and make his maiden outing in the competition next week.
"As a young player, you want to play in the Champions League so I'm looking forward to the game," he said.
"It's something I've dreamed about and it's been hard missing out. It will be a tough game for us but I think with the squad we have, we should hopefully get the three points."
Smith has favoured the use of a lone striker in European competition, with the role being filled by Kenny Miller in Stuttgart before the relatively inexperienced Steven Naismith deputised against Sevilla, with Miller struggling with a
hamstring problem on that occasion.
Lafferty has largely been deployed out on the wing since his arrival from Burnley but believes he has shown he can thrive if given an extended run up front.
And, although a fit-again Miller is likely to be given the nod on Tuesday, it is information Lafferty hopes Smith will store for future use.
"I just want to be playing but I think my best position is up front," he said.
"I tend to kind of raise my game when I'm playing there. I'm more comfortable. Striker is my position and, sooner rather than
later, hopefully I get my chance there."
Right now, Lafferty simply needs game-time in a bid to reach the level of match sharpness he demonstrated in the latter part of last season, following a campaign which was also marred by injury.
"It's been frustrating and I'm not sure if I'm fully match fit yet," he said.
"I've been doing a lot of work behind the scenes. While the rest of the lads were on international duty, I stayed behind and did a bit of work. I feel fit but getting a few games under my belt will help."
Rangers 8/11, Draw 5/2, Unirea Urziceni 4/1
