Lafferty has rejoined Rangers on Wednesday, signing a two-year deal.
Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge has told the club’s official website that her side had no chance of keeping Kyle Lafferty as he was hell-bent on a move to former club Rangers.
Lafferty, 30, has put pen to paper on a deal that takes him back to Ibrox on a two-year deal, six years after leaving the club to join Swiss outfit FC Sion in 2012.
Steven Gerrard has opted to sign the Northern Ireland international as he felt Rangers were light in the final third, despite boasting Alfredo Morelos and Roma loanee Umar Sadiq.
Budge told Hearts’ website that they did not want to sell the former Norwich City, Birmingham City and Palermo striker, but Lafferty’s desire to rejoin Rangers saw the club decide to allow him to move on.
“It is no secret that this has been a difficult and drawn-out affair,” Budge said. “While we have no desire to sell our players to other teams in the league, when a player has his mind set on moving, it is difficult to reach an alternative conclusion.
“The deal, when completed, will suit all parties and, importantly, will allow Craig to focus his efforts on finalising potential deals to add to his playing squad – having brought in 13 players already this summer.”
Lafferty spent four years at Rangers during his first spell, after completing a move to Ibrox from Burnley. He scored 36 goals in 134 league and cup appearances, winning the Scottish Premiership on three occasions.
It remains to be seen if the 67-cap will be eligible to face FC Ufa on Thursday night, as Rangers look to progress into the Europa League group stage at the expense of their Russian Premier League opponents.
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