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Lafferty believes the team and the squad
have improved since the European qualifying
campaign.
“We have been scoring goals, we’ve only
conceded twice and we are confident we can
change our game to suit any eventuality,” he
insisted.
Lafferty’s seven goals played a huge role in
qualification for France last summer but the
defence have been the stars of the Russia World
Cup 2018 campaign.
Going into this weekend’s double header the
only goals conceded - two of them - came in
Germany, making Northern Ireland one of the
meanest defences in Europe.
Lafferty added: “Our defence have been
incredible. A lot of the time it’s goalscorers who
get the headlines and plaudits but we can’t
overstate what the defence have done in this
campaign. To concede so few goals against
quality opposition is incredible.
“But we really aren’t surprised. With the players
we have in that position it shouldn’t surprise
anyone that they have been capable of that.
“When you are hard to beat it makes life so
much easier for the strikers because we know
if we can take our chances there is a good
possibility we will win games. More often than
not that is exactly what we are doing now and
long may that continue.”
The former Rangers and Norwich City ace is
enjoying a new lease of life since moving back to
Scotland with Hearts during the summer.
He’s playing regularly and scoring and he
reckons the move will be good not only for his
club career but Northern Ireland as well.
“I couldn’t be happier at Hearts,” said Lafferty.
“Everyone knows it has been a really frustrating
few years for me at club level and now I feel
I’m at a club where hopefully I will make a
difference.
“I was delighted to score just before coming
away on the international break and with the way
we play I’m sure there will be more to come.
“Playing every week has been good for me even
though we are only in the first month of the
season.
“Like any footballer I’m happiest when I’m
contributing to the side and I’m sure if I can do
well at Hearts this season it will only help me
with Northern Ireland, too.”
Position
Striker
Date Of Birth
16.09.1987
Place Of Birth
Enniskillen
Height
193cm
Weight
69kg
STRIKER
Caps
62
Goals
20
CLUBS
Burnley
83
Darlington (loan)
9
Rangers
104
Sion
25
Palermo
34
Norwich City
31
Çaykur Rizespor (loan)
14
Birmingham City (loan)
6
Heart of Midlothian
4
9
SQUAD NO
CLUB RECORD
INTERNATIONAL
RECORD
10
SQUAD NO
Debut
21.05.2006
v Uruguay
(A) Lost 0-1
KYLE
LAFFERTY
Northern Ireland U17
5
Northern Ireland U19
6
Northern Ireland U21
2
Northern Ireland B
1
www.irishfa.com15