Hat-trick puts spotlight on Lafferty for right reasons

The Northern Ireland internationalist has often courted controversy since his move from Burnley, hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and he says he has been hurt by what has been written about him.

But, with the guidance of Walter Smith and his coaching staff, Lafferty believes he is now on the right track and is determined to put negative reporting about his antics firmly behind him.

He said: "I probably deserve it for the stupid things I do but I'm working on it with the coaching staff and I'm trying to put it right.

"I just want to let my football do the talking and hopefully everyone will see a different side to me. I've been working hard on and off the pitch to get my attitude right and hopefully I'm doing the right things.

"Hopefully I'm doing enough to make the back pages instead of the front now."

Rangers cruised past Dunfermline as they began their defence of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a 7-2 victory but it was Lafferty who stole the show with his three goals.

"I don't think this was one of my better games for Rangers but I got my three goals so, hopefully, the gaffer will give me another chance," he said.

Nikica Jelavic bagged a double and Madjid Bougherra and Steven Naismith were also on the scoresheet in the third-round tie, while Callum Woods and Joe Cardle both netted for the visitors.

Lafferty said: "I think we created the chances to score a few more but Dunfermline were unlucky not to get a few more themselves.

"It was a good game all round and everyone is delighted we are through to the next round."

Despite the heavy defeat, Pars boss Jim McIntyre believes there were positives to take from the clash at Ibrox.

"The main positive was going forward," he said.

"I thought we created and at times we showed bravery on the ball and tried to commit men forward. We just didn't pick enough of the right options, especially in the second half."