Lafferty feels unwelcome at Ibrox

[bradfordloyal1982 48]

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/leaguedivision3/4687025/Im-not-welcome-at-Ibrox-and-that-breaks-my-heart.html

IBROX was home sweet home for Kyle Lafferty for four years.

Now, though, he doesn’t feel he could even walk through the front door.

It hurts like hell for the three-times SPL title winner and lifelong Gers fan.

Lafferty was part of a mass dressing-room exodus in the summer as Rangers crashed into liquidation.

Steven Davis, Steven Naismith, Steven Whittaker, Allan McGregor, Maurice Edu, Jamie Ness, Rhys McCabe and Kirk Broadfoot all took advantage of players’ union advice to walk away from contracts.

In some cases they cost Rangers potentially millions in transfer fees.

The idea of slumming it in the Third Division was too much to bear for those worried about their career prospects and impact on international hopes.

Bitter takeover frontman Charles Green slammed them all as opportunists and mercenaries.

SunSport understands chief executive Green is still pursuing a number of them, including Lafferty, with the threat of possible court action next month.

While there’s the pain of being regarded an outcast, the Northern Ireland striker still has no regrets over his own dramatic decision to quit Rangers.

Six months on, and highly content with life at Swiss club FC Sion, Lafferty has revealed his decision to leave was made for his family.

Not, as Green suspects, for his own personal gain. Lafferty gave his first major interview since his Ibrox exit to SunSport and opened up on the most soul-searching move of his football life.

The 25-year-old said: “I know there was a lot of anger towards those players who left, a lot of accusations flying about. Things were said that were harsh and out of order.

“I can only speak for myself. Let me make it clear my decision to leave Rangers was actually made five or six months before the club even went into administration.

“There was an incident when I was out with Nic, then my fiancee, who was pregnant with Taylor.

“She was sat in the passenger seat of my car while I’d gone to pay for petrol. A brick came flying through the back window and she was left terrified.

“Given her condition she was badly shaken by it. And, as you can imagine, I was furious.

“A few things had also happened before that, but what went on that night was the last straw.

“All I could think about was what might have happened to Nic and our son. It scared the both of us.

“There and then I felt I had to get out of Glasgow, leave Rangers, the first opportunity I could. Just get away from the UK altogether and start again abroad. The chance came during the summer — and I took it.

“I knew it would leave people angry, and I understood why. But as far as I was concerned I only did what anyone else would — that is, make my family my priority and do what was best for them.

“It still wasn’t a decision I took lightly. But nothing was going to change my mind.

“Sion made their interest known and I was impressed by everything they had to offer.

“Parma wanted me to go to Italy while there were also offers from Russia, Turkey and Greece. But Sion and Switzerland felt right — and I’ve never regretted it.

“Maybe the only thing I would have wanted to happen was for Rangers to get money for me but the situation wasn’t of my making, I took advice, and that was it.

“Now, we can lead our lives without fear of being bothered. I’m recognised in Sion, of course, but people here only have respect for me and my family.

“Glasgow’s a great city and the majority of folk there were nothing but fantastic to me, even a lot of Celtic fans. But there were was still an element only interested in making trouble.

“Things happened in my first two years at Rangers and I was never going to be allowed to forget them.

“I’m the first to admit there was self-inflicted stuff. The diving episode where I got Charlie Mulgrew sent off in a game against Aberdeen at Ibrox, which I’m still embarrassed about, and the spat with Neil Lennon. They were stupid moments and I regret them. Believe me. But there were other things out of my control, that were just conveniently used against me.

“When it got to the stage where Nic was getting dragged into it then enough was enough.

“It’s all behind me now. I’ve moved on by joining Sion. Out here we don’t get any hassle off the park.

“We’re coming back to Scotland in the next week or so to see family and friends. But I know I won’t be welcome at Ibrox — and that’s hard for me.

“I’ve still got a lot of friends there and I’d love to go back and see them.

“I don’t think it would be wise after what happened in the summer.

“There’s someone in particular who has made their feelings clear about me.

“I know the likes of Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall wouldn’t have a problem with me popping in but I don’t want to cause them any grief.

“Hopefully, though, there will come a time when I feel I can walk in the front door. I’d really like that. Rangers is my club and always will be.

“I wish the players, the management and the people behind the scenes nothing but the best.

“I had a fallout with Ally a few months before I left. But we spoke before I left and we made our peace. I was really happy about that.

“Now I’m delighted to see Rangers getting things together.

“Young boys like Barrie McKay and Lewis Macleod are making a name for themselves and that doesn’t surprise because they are brilliant talents.

“And Lee McCulloch’s the perfect captain. Jig got a new contract recently and he deserved that.”

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/leaguedivision3/4687025/Im-not-welcome-at-Ibrox-and-that-breaks-my-heart.html#ixzz2EQiN7Q5a

[KingKai 439]

Never read it...but as far as im concerned..he can **** right off...mercenary.

[Don81 2,842]

I wonder who the someone inparticular who has made there feelings clear is. Is he alluding to Green or someone else?? Fucking turncoat , don't believe a word of it. What he still doesn't seem to grasp is he could of transferred over and left with our full blessing and good wishes. Instead he fucked off for nothing in order to line his own pockets. Ungrateful prick!!!

[Fiogh 178]

There is no way he said hakf the things in the manner they are displayed there!

How many more of these are there gonna be? Noone blames them for leaving, but the way they left is unforgivable to some (including me) so can we not all move on?

[peter huistra 1,740]

was never worth the cash we payed for him

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

Judas

[corkinator 611]

Looking for the sympathy vote, just an opportunist

[andymcg1986 259]

I wonder who the someone inparticular who has made there feelings clear is. Is he alluding to Green or someone else?? Fucking turncoat , don't believe a word of it. What he still doesn't seem to grasp is he could of transferred over and left with our full blessing and good wishes. Instead he fucked off for nothing in order to line his own pockets. Ungrateful prick!!!

It's no1 club related, I stated previously he owed some very dodgy people a lot of cash, don't know what the outcome was! He's a gambling addict and coke head

[dave7867 75]

So Kyle you never thought the club could need some cash?(at the time)

No you thought of No.1 so do one.

[iain1712 336]

A poor excuse for an ulster man.

He is not being missed !

[Guest Andypendek]

“There’s someone in particular who has made their feelings clear about me.

“I know the likes of Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall wouldn’t have a problem with me popping in but I don’t want to cause them any grief.

I wonder who the someone inparticular who has made there feelings clear is.

Come on, out of our coaching staff who does that leave out?

A brick came flying through the back window and she was left terrified.

Doubtless that was not a fan of those whiter-than-white SPL clubs.

[scarkev 3,540]

Look if the "real" reason for leaving was down to starting fresh with his young family away from the bitterness of the old firm then why not say that at the time....if that was true and not an after thought I think most could understand that but the reality is he like the others who have went to the press since are just trying to paint themselves as martyrs now....

[inverhouse 0]

he can fecking stay away we dont want him near our club again judas

[FirrhillLoyal 318]

Fuck off Lafferty you fucking judas!

[JM1872 3,714]

Read down to "Rangers is my club, and always will be."

Naw it isnae.

[hugh_capet 341]

Can't blame the lad for putting his family first, they take priority over a football club. I'd welcome him back any day.

[danger ranger 922]

How could you welcome any of them back and celebrate rangers 140 years, they added to the misery rangers suffered and never lifted a finger to help.

Also they let down ally after he gave them bumper pay deals, greedy greedy bastards.

[1873bear 192]

Lafferty abandoned Rangers, chapel ect tells you everything really......your like the other traitors are not welcome you never will be.

[Phil 1,150]

Come on, out of our coaching staff who does that leave out?

He's blue, he's white, he's fucking dynamite

Quite right in my eyes to tell him that he is no longer welcome back at Ibrox. He used to be but not now and that's only as a result of HIS actions.

You made your choice Kyle

[Coplandbear11 1,087]

Fuck you Lafferty you cunt. These traitor bastards now realise they will never be welcomed at the home of the worlds greatest club again and it must hurt.

[A.T.G 10,773]

You are quite correct Kyle, you're not welcome

Now get to fuck

Wonder who next will come out and say they'd like to one day walk through the Ibrox doors

They just don't get it do they?

[Misteral 2,932]

Why are Edu and Broadfoot mentioned in the same line as the others?

[simon 1,743]

The stuff with his family I can understand, you can never accept crap like that. However, he came to the club thinking he was the dogs bollocks, his attitude was rotten and he only delivered towards the end of the season.

I'll always be thankful for his display against Kilmarnock, it was a really excellent game of football and made sure Walter left on a high.

But I won't miss him, and I don't think anyone will. He was always only interested in himself.

[Nymrod 30]

Bears Den?

Who the fcuk is Kyle Lafferty? Never heard of him!!

[papaguy51 912]

Fanny.

Bit late to be fabricating events like that. Christ, I wish he had left earlier.