Kyle Lafferty’s homecoming move to Linfield flopped after no goals and a first season without the league title in five years.
The former Rangers star joined the Belfast outfit after a shock exit from Kilmarnock on transfer deadline day. The Blues hoped a switch to his boyhood club would add the firepower needed to make it five NIFL Premier Division titles in succession. But the rangy front man failed to score as David Healy’s men finished a distant second to winners Larne.
They created history by claiming their first ever league crown and with a bit to spare. The champions ended up 16 points clear of their Windsor Park rivals. But Linfield assistant Ross Oliver insists Lafferty has been unlucky and his signing, like any, was a gamble and they don’t always pay off, no matter who the club or player is and how many trophies have been won in recent years.
"Kyle has been carrying a few knocks which have really hindered his progress. He has been unfortunate with a couple of niggles," Oliver said.
"He has been here for a short period of time so hasn't been able to get up and running. And those injuries have prevented him from getting consistent game time.
"So it has been difficult for him. I am sure he will be the first person to say he is disappointed with the way things worked out. Every signing you make or decision you make, it is always a gamble. It doesn't matter who it is.
"It might work and it might not work. It is just unfortunate for Kyle that with the injuries he picked up that he wasn't able to pick up any speed."
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