Rangers luck with injury seems to be getting worse with every passing day as now Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty limped off injured in his international clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 70th minute. He was substituted, and the fans in Scotland would be breathing heavy as long as they don’t get the confirmation when he would be back.
The Gers have a big Europa League fixture against Villareal looming, and they would be very keen to give a good account of themselves after making to a European competition after the gap of 8 years. However, they could be without both their strikers now as Alfredo Morelos is suspended having got a red card in the second leg of the qualifiers against Russian outfit FC Ufa. In that case, Lafferty would have been the preferred choice to lead the line. However, Gerrard might have to go with the inexperienced Umar Sadiq in one of the biggest games of the Gers’ season.
Lafferty looked okayish in the clash against Bosnia as he was leading the line well. However, his team was unlucky to be beaten on the day by two goals to one. The Northern Irish striker happens to be one of 15 new signings which new manager Steven Gerrard brought in at the club, and he would be equally devastated to learn that Lafferty went out with an injury.
This is Lafferty’s second stint at the Ibrox, and he started it well by scoring a brace in his first game with the Teddy Bears. Gerrard began to using him and Alfredo Morelos together, and the manager would have wanted the two to form a formidable and robust partnership up top. However, now he would have to solely rely on Morelos in the league and Umar Sadiq in the Europa League if the 30-year-old striker fails to recover in time.
Lafferty’s biggest asset is his versatility to play anywhere across the pitch in the final third. He can play out in the wide regions as well as in a more central role as well. His finishing in close quarters is also worth mentioning as he always seems to know where the back of the net is. The Northern Irishman’s link-up play is also up to the mark, and the forward tried his best to bring in his partner Morelos more into the game when the two started together in the derby against Celtic.
Earlier, new signing, Eros Grezda was sent back from international duty regarding concerns about his ankle, and Jamie Murphy is already out for the season. Midfielder Lassana Coulibaly has been away for almost two weeks now, and Gerrard’s option seems to be shortening with every passing day. The manager would hope that Lafferty’s injury is not too severe and the 30-year old forward would be at least ready within a week to take on Villareal at Estadio De La Ceramica.
