Kyle Lafferty admits he would 'run through brick walls' for Derek McInnes as he rated him next to legendary Rangers boss Walter Smith.
The Northern Ireland international has made the move to Linfield on a free after Kilmarnock announced he would be leaving the club. It is a decision that has left the hitman gutted in terms of working alongside Del and his staff. The former Aberdeen boss knew how to get the best of out him and showed so much faith in him, like Ibrox hero Smith.
Lafferty was banned for ten games for using sectarian language but was back from the suspension and available for selection. However, the club decided to cut ties with the 35-year-old, who is now ready to put all his effort into making a success for new boss David Healy. The former Rangers striker is up against it in the title race with Linfield currently third in the standings and four points off leaders Cliftonville - who they host this weekend in a massive game.
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Lafferty said: “I am disappointed that I won’t get to work with McInnes and his staff again. I rate him next to Walter Smith.
“Walter was Walter and no one comes close but, from what I experienced with Derek, he knew how to get the best out of me.
“Like Walter, he showed so much faith in me and I wanted to run through brick walls for him. We were climbing up the table this season and he deserves success.”
He added: "One minute you’re the main man and the next you’re out of the team. That was because of the mistake I made.”
Speaking about his capture of Lafferty, Healy told Linfield's official website: "I’m delighted to advise our supporters that Kyle Lafferty has today signed for the club until the end of the season, subject to the normal international clearance formalities.
"He’s an out of contract player with vast experience at all levels of the game and he’s a player I know very well. His signing will strengthen the squad and he will give us a different attacking option, ahead of the remaining games in this hard fought and fiercely competitive league campaign.
"I’ve no doubt that this signing will give everyone at the club a real boost and he can certainly make a significant contribution and impact over the course of the short term contract that he has signed here today.
"Our kit manager Gary Eccles advises me that Kyle will wear the number 28 squad number shirt over the period of his time here and I know there will be huge interest from our supporters in wanting to get along to see Kyle in action in the Windsor Park stadium that he knows so well.
"I want to thank our recruitment and development manager Willie McKeown for his considerable effort in bringing this deal to a conclusion and I also want to thank the board for their backing in bringing in a player of this top level calibre and pedigree.“
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