Gerrard shares Lafferty’s desperation for Ibrox return, explains why Rangers re-signed him

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Rangers have today completed a deal to bring Kyle Lafferty back to Ibrox.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has told the club’s official YouTube channel that he thinks new signing Kyle Lafferty ticks all the boxes for the club.

The Gers have swooped to make signing number 12 today, as striker Lafferty has re-joined the club from Hearts, six years after leaving Ibrox for Sion.

The 30-year-old hitman – who scored 19 goals in all competitions for Hearts last season – has followed Allan McGregor, Jon Flanagan, Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, Borna Barisic, Lassana Coulibaly, Scott Arfield, Ovie Ejaria, Jamie Murphy, Ryan Kent and Umar Sadiq in putting pen-to-paper on a deal at Ibrox.

Lafferty hit 38 goals in 138 games for Rangers during a four-year stint at Ibrox, and returns ‘home’ 10 years after first heading to Ibrox from Burnley.

A Northern Ireland international with vast experience, Lafferty could now face Ufa in the Europa League qualifying on Thursday night, making his second Rangers debut.

Lafferty gives Rangers an experienced option in attack, aiding inconsistent youngsters Alfredo Morelos and Umar Sadiq to round out Gerrard’s options up front ahead of the transfer deadline.

Now, Gerrard has told the club’s official YouTube channel that he feels there is ‘no risk’ in terms of bringing Lafferty back to Ibrox, as he knows what the club is about and will be able to handle the expectation.

Gerrard explained that Lafferty is a ‘Rangers nut’ and was desperate to sign for Rangers, noting that he ticks all the boxes for Rangers in terms of a striker to lead the line.

“He knows what this club’s about,” said Gerrard. “There’s no risk in terms of him performing in front of the demand of this crowd and this club and the expectation. I believe we’re a young squad, so he brings vital experience to us. He’s a Rangers nut and he [was] desperate to come. I think he ticks all the boxes that I want as a front man. We know we’re quite bare up there without him, so that’s why we want[ed] him,” he added.