Jim White 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 (edited) Walter Smith believes everyone should move on from the furore surrounding Kyle Lafferty's challenge on Andreas Hinkel. More... Walter Smith believes everyone should move on from the furore surrounding Kyle Lafferty's challenge on Andreas Hinkel. The Rangers striker has attracted plenty of criticism for his studs-first challenge on the Celtic defender in Sunday's Old Firm derby. He only received a yellow card for the tackle, while some thought the 22-year-old should have seen red. While Smith acknowledges it was not the best of tackles, he believes it was a forward's challenge and everyone should now move on. The Rangers boss told his club's official website: "I've seen the incident once since the game and Kyle's tackle was a forward's challenge. "Everyone keeps saying the referee should have acted but the referee did act. He deemed it a yellow card offence and that was it. "Over the last few seasons, we've gone to Celtic Park for some high-profile games and there have been some meaty challenges. "This one seems to have attracted a lot of attention when a lot of others seem to have been ignored. "I think there was a level of frustration in Kyle's challenge but the referee made his decision on it. "It wasn't a great tackle to make, but it wasn't the first time that kind of thing has happened in a football match. "To be fair, Celtic got on with the game. I didn't see anyone from their side complaining bitterly about it. "They just got on with things and we need to move on now." Meanwhile, Lafferty has thanked Rangers skipper David Weir for forcing him to improve his attitude. A frank exchange took place between the pair during half-time of their 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen in November, with Weir reportedly furious with Lafferty's efforts at Pittodrie. Reflecting on the incident now, the Northern Ireland international believes Weir gave him the wake-up call he badly needed. Lafferty said: "I've had to change a lot since the Aberdeen game in November and hopefully people will feel my attitude has got a lot better. "I think my work-rate has probably improved too since Davie had a word with me and I agree with what he said back then. "If I'm honest, I have to thank him for that because it has woken me up a bit and made me think about things. "I realise now that when I got my big move to Rangers (from Burnley in June 2008) I let it go to my head a bit but I respect Davie so much and what he said has really hit home. "For someone of his stature to have to speak to me isn't good and I've tried to work a lot harder since then. "After the incident with Davie, I've had to give myself a bit of a shake and I hope that comes across to people. "I respect every senior pro, no matter who he is or what he's done, and every young lad like me should look up to Davie. "Guys like him are there to help you and while I want to forget about what happened with him now, hopefully some good can come of it." Edited January 6, 2010 by Frankie 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Aye, there was never a great debate over Robson smashing Dailly in the face was there ? Typical bias reporting. Get over it, the ref deemed it a yellow. Job done. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 First i'd read anything other than rumour regarding the incident with Weir. THought it was just internet trouble making before tbh. Shame he had a billy big balls attitude, but hopefully we'll see the improvement he speaks of from now on. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I wonder if Burnley do refunds? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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