Lafferty looks on the bright side

22 September 2010 09:30

Kyle Lafferty admits he deserved the bad press which came his way in the past but has vowed to change for the better after claiming his first hat-trick for Rangers on Tuesday night.

The Northern Ireland international has often courted controversy since his move from Burnley, hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and he says he has been hurt by what has been written about him. But, with the guidance of Walter Smith and his coaching staff, Lafferty believes he is now on the right track and is determined to put negative reporting about his antics firmly behind him.

He said: "I probably deserve it for the stupid things I do but I'm working on it with the coaching staff and I'm trying to put it right."

He added: "I just want to let my football do the talking and hopefully everyone will see a different side to me. I've been working hard on and off the pitch to get my attitude right and hopefully I'm doing the right things.

"Hopefully I'm doing enough to make the back pages instead of the front now. The things that have been said in the papers about me have hurt me a lot but I've got good people with me at the club and if I listen to them I'll be in safe hands."

Rangers cruised past Dunfermline as they began their defence of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a 7-2 win but it was Lafferty who stole the show with his three goals.

"I don't think this was one of my better games for Rangers but I got my three goals so hopefully the gaffer will give me another chance," he said.

"It's always good to score a goal for Rangers so to get three is really good. I'll try to keep working harder and hopefully if I add a few more goals to my game, the gaffer will see me as a striker."

Nikica Jelavic bagged a double and Madjid Bougherra and Steven Naismith were also on the scoresheet in the third round tie, while Callum Woods and Joe Cardle both netted for the visitors.

Lafferty said: "I think we created the chances to score a few more but Dunfermline were unlucky not to get a few more themselves. It was a good game all round and everyone is delighted we are through to the next round."

Source: PA