Kyle Lafferty has credited Derek McInnes with saving his career after the Northern Irishman was hit with a 10-game SFA ban for a sectarian slur aimed at Celtic fans. Lafferty, now 38, says McInnes' unique man-management was crucial during his lowest point, and he believes the new Rangers boss will inspire every player at Ibrox to run through brick walls for him.
McInnes stood by Lafferty during ban
After the incident, Lafferty was engulfed in controversy and faced punishment from both Kilmarnock and the SFA. While many managers would have discarded him, McInnes offered support. Lafferty told Record Sport: “When I was at Kilmarnock, obviously stuff happened off the pitch and I got the 10-game ban. I don’t want to say that he supported me. Because he let me know that what happened wasn’t acceptable. But he stood by me and I’ll always remember that. I got punished and he could easily have got rid of me at that time. Instead, he stood by me, but in the right manner. He gave me another chance and that’s why I still speak to him today.”
Man-management compared to Walter Smith
Lafferty, who won six major trophies at Rangers, sees similarities between McInnes and legendary Rangers boss Walter Smith. “It’s funny because I actually said this a few years ago. Derek reminds me of Walter Smith. I don’t want to compare him to Walter and put extra pressure on his back. There’s only one Walter. But there are definitely bits of Derek that make me feel that there is a bit of Walter in him. He obviously worked under him and his man-management is similar. The players will literally want to run through brick walls for him.”
McInnes destined for Rangers
Lafferty believes McInnes, a boyhood Rangers fan, was always destined to manage the club. He revealed he has argued with fans who previously opposed McInnes' appointment. “There was only ever one job he dreamt about getting and he deserves to be at Rangers now. A few years ago he knocked it back. I’ve been in a lot of Q&A’s with fans and when his name came up, I used to get into arguments with supporters who said he shouldn’t get a second chance. But Derek isn’t a stupid man, he’s very switched on. He didn’t knock it back due to money or anything like that. He just didn’t feel it was right due to the board that was in place at that time. And he was spot on because it was still a bit of a shambles back then.”
McInnes to rebuild Rangers squad
McInnes takes over a Rangers squad that has underperformed in recent years, with the aim of restoring them as Scotland's premier club. Lafferty is confident the players will respond. “They’ve probably taken to him already. It’s just how Derek carries himself. He’s got that aura about him and he makes people sit up and take notice. Last season, he should have led Hearts to the league title and, for whatever reason, it was probably out of their hands. But look at how much Derek got under Celtic fans’ skin. You either love him or hate him. But you’ve got to work under him and know him as a man to really take to him. I know all of the players will love him. And I’m not just talking about the players he’s signed. I’m talking about guys who were around last season and probably expected to move away from Rangers. But being around Derek and his coaching staff, I think it will now be hard for some of them to leave, because everyone will immediately feel part of the team.”
Lafferty expects immediate impact
The former striker expects McInnes' Rangers to hit the ground running once the season starts. “Fans have to forget about that [turning down the job]. And they will once the season gets going because I expect his Rangers to hit the ground running.”
