OPINION
It is safe to say that Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has had a bit of a mixed season so far – one minute he is on form, the next he is just woeful.
Seeing as he has had such a topsy turvy season, it did not come as a surprise when boss Steven Gerrard left him out of the matchday squad to face Livingston last weekend.
This was no doubt a kick in the teeth for the attacker, but it did make perfect sense – why would Gerrard bring along a forward who has not been doing his job properly recently?
With the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe no doubt firmly in the manager’s thoughts, now could not be a better time to convince him that his future remains at Ibrox.
If he does not, then a summer exit could be on the cards for the 6ft 4in [Transfermarkt] hitman, as there is only so long that Gerrard would be able to put up with a striker who continues to underwhelm.
To prevent Gerrard losing his patience, Lafferty now needs to step up to the plate as soon as possible and start performing the way he did at Hearts before.
Even Barry Ferguson has said that he needs to make the most of his second chance at Rangers before he wastes it and is swiftly offloaded.
“For once in his life, it is time for my old team mate to get deadly serious before the second chance he has been given at Ibrox is taken away from him for good,” he wrote in his Daily Record column.
Morelos is no doubt first choice forward, but with the signing of Defoe this month, it is now or never for the 31-year-old and his Rangers future.
Time to step up a gear Lafferty – or a summer exit will definitely be on the cards.