Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has become embroiled in a war of words with Kilmarnock after the veteran striker’s comments in a newspaper over his Rugby Park exit.
Lafferty left Killie at the end of the season having scored 13 goals in 13 appearances and was offered a new deal to stay in Ayrshire despite Kilmarnock’s relegation to the Championship.
Lafferty claimed in the Daily Record that he wanted to stay at Rugby Park and insisted the first he heard that his time at the club was over was when they shared an announcement on their official website having only been given hours to agree to new terms, saying: “I was with the Northern Ireland squad in Ukraine when I read that I’d decided to move on from Kilmarnock, it was extremely disappointing.
“It just isn’t true that I’ve walked away, the opposite is true. I loved the time I had there and wanted to stay.
“My aim was to be a part of the bid to bounce straight back to the Premiership next season but the club have announced that won’t be happening. The club spoke to my agent, he told them what I was looking for and I wasn’t asking for the earth or to give the boss Tommy Wright a heart attack.
“Contract talks are all about negotiation but there was none of that, we heard nothing, just an announcement on the official club website that I and several other players had decided to move on.
“It’s a disingenuous statement, the fans deserve to know what the situation is as it’s not right to have players thrown under the bus because of the relegation.
“My aim is stay at Killie and help the club come straight back from the Championship next season but the club have now said I’ve moved on. I’d like the Killie fans to know it’s not the case that I have rejected the chance to stay at the club. The truth is that I wanted to be part of the plans for next season.”
Kilmarnock fire back at the ex-Rangers star
Kilmarnock weren’t happy at Lafferty’s comments this morning and have insisted the 33-year-old’s claims were “simply not true.”
The relegated side hit back with a claim of their own and accused Lafferty of demanding four times last season’s wage.
In a lengthy statement on their website, Killie refuted the former Rangers striker’s version of events and highlighted the “monumental impact” meeting Lafferty’s demands would have had on the budget for next-season.
“Following the conclusion of the playoff against Dundee, we entered into negotiations with players we wished to retain for the 2021/22 season which included Kyle.
“We received a series of figures from his representatives which were four times higher than the sum he received towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
“At this point, we informed Kyle and his representatives that there was no possibility of agreeing to those terms, which would have had a monumental impact on the allocated first-team budget for the season.
“Following further discussions and both parties remaining miles apart, it was clear that no deal could be struck and in order to continue our planning for 2021/22, talks were brought to a close.
“Kyle told the newspaper: “that contracts were offered to individuals and given a few hours to make a decision.”
“This is simply not true.
“Every player offered a contract for 2021/22 was given a period of several days in line with a deadline set by the club to decide whether they wished to accept our offer. Some of those players opted to turn down a new deal, which they are perfectly entitled to do.
“While disappointed to read Kyle’s remarks, we reiterate our thanks to him for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future.
“As the club continues to rebuild for next season, it is important that our supporters know that we’re doing everything to support Tommy Wright in building the strongest group possible to win promotion back to the Premiership and we thank the fans for their fantastic response in the first week of season ticket sales, which provide vital funds for the manager.
Lafferty is now on the look out for his 14th club in 16 years after stints with Burnley, Rangers (twice), Sion, Palermo, Norwich City, Rizespor, Birmingham City, Hearts, Sarpsborg, Sunderland and Reggina.
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