Lafferty hopes for key role at Rangers

Kyle Lafferty insists he is ready to put the frustrating start to his Rangers career behind him and play a key role in what could be one of the club’s most important games of the season.

The striker suffered a back injury during pre-season in Germany, crushing his hopes of making an early impression on boss Walter Smith.

The former Burnley striker is now fully fit after starting Saturday’s glamour friendly against Liverpool and is desperate to be thrown into tomorrow’s Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas.

He said: “It was frustrating watching the lads play and being over in Germany and not being able to train or do anything.

“But I’m fit now and just raring to go. It’s up to the gaffer whether I play or not but hopefully I’ll be involved at some stage.

“If I’m involved, it’s a big game to make my debut in and I would be delighted.”

The 20-year-old was one of three strikers who signed this summer, along with Kenny Miller and Andrius Velicka.

With Nacho Novo, Kris Boyd, Jean-Claude Darcheville and Daniel Cousin all vying for places as well, the Northern Ireland international accepts competition will be tough.

But he insists life at Rangers is a challenge he will relish, insisting: “It will make me a better player.

“There are a lot of strikers and I’m going to have to work even harder than I did at my old club but I’m looking forward to it.”

The first leg at Ibrox ended goalless last week, meaning the team on the losing side tomorrow night faces the prospect of crashing out of Europe completely without even the safety net of the UEFA Cup.

Lafferty knows Rangers are still trying to find their feet again on the back of an epic season but admits they have no choice but to produce the goods against the Lithuanians.

He said: “You can see that we are playing the best football that we can. The games are here now and we just have to put things right on Tuesday night.

“It’s a big game for the club, especially after the draw at home, and we just have to go out and win the game.

“It’s definitely a big game for us and hopefully we can go out and do a job. They caused us a few problems at Ibrox but we have players in the team who can win the game.”

Rangers suffered another blow just three days after the goalless stalemate when Liverpool handed out a 4-0 thrashing in a pre-season friendly.

But Lafferty insisted: “Liverpool are a good team. There are some positives to take from it and the gaffer was able to change the team around.

“We just have to let Saturday go and concentrate on an important game on Tuesday.”