KYLE Lafferty knew he faced a fight to get in the Rangers team when he made a £3million summer switch from Burnley – but he appreciates he will have to work even harder now.
The striker has suffered a frustrating start to his Ibrox career as back and hamstring injuries and problems with his wisdom teeth interrupted his training.
The 21-year-old scored on his first Ibrox appearance as Rangers beat Hearts before endurin
g five weeks on the sidelines. But he has made a gradual return in recent weeks and is looking to kick-start his Ibrox career in tomorrow's televised Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at St Mirren.
"It started well, scoring on my home debut, and after that it has gone downhill with injuries," he said. "Hopefully that is the end of the niggles and injuries and I can carry on where I left off."
However, the Northern Ireland international has had to watch Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd bang in the goals in recent weeks and appreciates a place in the starting line-up will not be easy to come by. "They are both playing well, getting results and scoring goals for us," Lafferty said. "I just have to work even harder.
"The gaffer has been playing me in left midfield so playing in that position might get me in the team. I played there for a season and a half with Burnley, so I'm comfortable out there. It's a team game, as long as we are winning (and] at the top of the SPL, I am happy."
Lafferty also has a fight on to regain his place in the Northern Ireland team after missing their opening two World Cup qualifiers through injury. But he is optimistic he can impress manager Nigel Worthington ahead of the forthcoming double header against Slovenia and San Marino. "I've been called up so hopefully with a few days' training I can show Nigel what he has been missing," Lafferty added.
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson insists confidence remains high at Love Street despite his team slipping to the foot of the table.
"The confidence is there and the training has been of an excellent standard, the tempo has been good," he said. "But we need to keep showing that confidence when we play in a game.
"Position doesn't matter just now, it's getting points on the board which enables the players to play with confidence. Even though we've not picked up the points we feel we deserve, the confidence is still there. Sometimes frustration can lead to a lack of confidence but we've not seen that.
"The way they have tried to play has been pleasing, they have been brave and try to pass the ball even away from home. But we need the same again. Hopefully we'll soon get the results."
With key players missing through suspension and injury, MacPherson insists this is the ideal opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim. "It's unfortunate that we've been hit in defence through injury but if they don't make it, it just becomes an opportunity for guys that have been frustrated and are desperate to play," he added.
