Lafferty struggled to make an impact on Sunday as Rangers lost to Celtic.
Simon Donnelly has criticised Rangers attacker Kyle Lafferty on Open Goal’s ‘Keep it on the ground’ podcast for wanting to fight Celtic defender Mikael Lustig, rather than play football.
Lafferty, 30, played in his first Old Firm derby since returning to Rangers, but lined up out wide in order to allow Alfredo Morelos to spearhead Steven Gerrard’s attack. Olivier Ntcham’s goal proved to be the difference.
Instead, Lafferty got himself embroiled in a physical battle with Sweden international Lustig on the flank, but failed to make any kind of difference as the Hoops remained tight at the back despite their recent problems.
Donnelly, who played for Celtic for six years between 1993 and 1999, criticised Lafferty for failing to be thorn in the Celtic side as he has been in recent times for Hearts and instead “trying to fight Lustig”.
“Nobody laid a glove on Celtic,” Donnelly said. “When they started Lafferty and Morelos, I thought it was a bold move. It didn’t look as though they believed in it.
“Lafferty, who has been a thorn in the side of Celtic with Rangers and Hearts, wanted to fight Lustig rather than play football. He didn’t offer anything.”
The 67-time Northern Ireland international joined Rangers towards the end of last month and has made four appearances since his return, scoring a brace against Motherwell during the 3-3 draw.
Gerrard’s side sit four points behind Celtic in seventh place in the Scottish Premiership, after their worst start to a league season in 29 years following two draws, one win and one loss.
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