ian1964 10,870 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 WISER, fitter and stronger. It sounds like a Kris Commons-style statement to describe how Celtic compare with Rangers. Ask Kyle Lafferty how he feels as a Light Blues player now and those are precisely the words he'll pick. Lafferty has never felt more content with his football and personal life. His first-ever Old Firm goal in Sunday's showdown and the thought of becoming a dad in December have got the 24-year-old buzzing. Yet, with Lafferty brutal honesty is also never far away. The £3.25 million signing from Burnley has admitted his first two years at Ibrox were a WASTE. Never mind the two SPL titles and a Scottish Cup triumph he enjoyed in that time, all Lafferty thinks of are too many headlines for the wrong reasons, needless controversy, embarrassing immaturity. In between all of that there is no question were flashes of genuine ability and real potential. There were never enough of them to truly convince his critics, Rangers fans among them, that he was good enough to cut it at Ibrox. Not any more. Lafferty said: "I think I wasted the first two years of my Rangers career. "I was a joker and wasn't professional enough. I fully accept that but now I'm listening to people more. "The last six months I've wised up. I'm starting to do the right things both before and after training. "I listen to what the physio tells me, what the fitness coach says, what the manager wants from me. "I realise I'll be lucky to have 15 years as a player at a good level in football. "After yesterday somebody told me I've now scored 10 goals in 10 league games. "That says it all about just how well things are going for me on the park. I desperately want it to continue but I've still got a lot to learn. "For all my success I'm aware there are still fans out there who don't think I'm good enough to play for Rangers. "All I can do is keep scoring goals and prove them wrong. Hopefully, I will finally convince them. "I could have scored two or three more goals against Celtic but hopefully the fans could see that I gave everything I had for the cause at Ibrox. "I played a part in two of our goals as well as scoring one." Gers No2 Kenny McDowall rates as one of the biggest influences on Lafferty these days. The striker revealed: "Kenny challenged me before Sunday's game. "He wound me up about the fact I'd yet to score against Celtic. "He just said: 'Is there any chance of it finally happening'? Kenny made it clear that it was about time I changed that. "He has just been brilliant for me ever since I joined Rangers. He's such a big influence on me and that was all the more reason I was happy to respond to his challenge to me . "Kenny's always working to make me a better player but it's not just about his coaching, he's somebody I can also speak to about things." Lafferty, who is engaged to former Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh, dedicated his stike on Sunday to her. He added: "The strike against Celtic gave me a fantastic feeling. "That goal was for my girlfriend Nicola. I can't praise her enough for the support she gives me and for how happy she makes me feel. "She's expecting our first child around Christmas and we're both so excited. "On and off the pitch things couldn't be better right now. "I'm playing for Rangers and winning trophies and I'm scoring goals, while I've also got the girl of my dreams. "I'm working harder than I've ever done in my career. "I'm going to be a dad soon, so I've got to be focused on every aspect of my life. "People say that if you are happy at home then you are going to be productive at work. "I'd have to say that's definitely the case for me just now. "My family and Nic's have always been right behind me. "I've had a few difficult periods at Rangers, many of which I admit I have brought on myself. "I like to think I'm far more mature now â?? and more professional." Meanwhile, Lafferty also had praise for boss Ally McCoist for the half-time talk on Sunday which transformed Gers. Celtic went in 2-1 ahead, having overcome a Steven Naismith opener. There was no rage from McCoist, just some measured words. Lafferty added: "Ally didn't really say a lot but what he did say was spot on. "He said all the right things that made us go out and win the game. "He wasn't really angry but he made sure his points hit home to us. "I thought the way we played in the second half was simply outstanding." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3823997/I-wasted-my-first-2-years-at-Ibrox-I-had-to-make-up-for-that.html#ixzz1YU3Yr9kF 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Good to hear. Fingers crossed he can continue his current form for the season. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 0 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Not the first time he's said this actually. Quite honestly I don't want to hear it anymore. He's doing a good job on the pitch these days, I'd appreciate it if he'd keep his thoughts to himself otherwise and just get on with it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 4,151 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Lafferty, who is engaged to former Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh, dedicated his stike on Sunday to her. Who? Ah yes ... it is her! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk 158 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Not the first time he's said this actually. Quite honestly I don't want to hear it anymore. He's doing a good job on the pitch these days, I'd appreciate it if he'd keep his thoughts to himself otherwise and just get on with it. If you don't like it then don't read it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 0 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 If you don't like it then don't read it. Don't tell me what I can and can't read. Furthermore it was in the thread title. Couldn't exactly avoid that could I? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Don't tell me what I can and can't read. Furthermore it was in the thread title. Couldn't exactly avoid that could I? Maybe that should be subtly changed to "If you don't like it, why don't you ignore it?" :fish: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Don't tell me what I can and can't read. Furthermore it was in the thread title. Couldn't exactly avoid that could I? Some people can't bear to hear a bad word against their beloved team. Others might say you're being realistic! Anyway, you're just jealous you've no dating Nicola Mimnagh. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 0 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Maybe that should be subtly changed to "If you don't like it, why don't you ignore it?" :fish: Just to continue the fishing trip, does this now mean a ban on criticising stories we dislike? For if we don't like it we can just ignore it? *dangles long rod* 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 0 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Some people can't bear to hear a bad word against their beloved team. Others might say you're being realistic! Anyway, you're just jealous you've no dating Nicola Mimnagh. I can at least pronounce my other half's name 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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