Kyle Lafferty can fill Kris Boyd void if he leaves, insists Weir

While this contention might have seemed ridiculous as recently as earlier this week, the Northern Irishman's goal and all-round much improved performance on Wednesday night against Aberdeen suggested he might yet have a future with the champions-elect.

Lafferty, who drew attention to himself with a prolonged robotic dance routine following his strike in midweek, might not believe he needs such a recommendation. But it is an improvement on the dressing-down he received from Weir at half-time in a fixture against the same opponents earlier this season. The Rangers skipper was infuriated by Lafferty's lack of application at Pittodrie that day, with Aberdeen having taken a 1-0 lead into the interval. Rangers could not find a way back into the game, although Lafferty was replaced at half-time.

But it was a different story for the Northern Irishman on Wednesday night at Ibrox as Rangers collected their first win over Aberdeen this season and moved to within two victories of the Scottish Premier League title. Lafferty scored the goal of the night after 65 minutes to give his side a 2-0 lead. But while the strike was welcomed by both the player and the supporters it was a reminder of how infrequently he has impressed in a Rangers shirt. Wednesday's goal was only his third of the season, though manager Walter Smith later acknowledged that the player has been played out of position on the wing. Weir, too, referred to the difficult circumstances which have helped add to the already sizeable burden of the player's 3.4million price tag. But he believes the striker might have turned the corner and exactly the right time, with Boyd's future still uncertain in the wake of further interest from Birmingham City.

"I'm sure he will get that opportunity if that is the case (and Boyd leaves]," said Weir, who is himself out of contract at the end of this season. "It is up to him. I don't know what the situation is with Boydy or the club in general, so there are a lot of ifs and buts. But Kyle definitely has the attributes and I'm sure that will be his goal.

"He is big physically, he has got pace and he can jump," continued Weir. "He has got all the raw materials to be a good player and that's obviously why Rangers took him on board. Maybe it will take a bit longer to settle in and get everything working at the right time. Once it falls into place, then he will be a top player."

Smith described Lafferty as "erratic" after the game on Wednesday and in the minds of many fans who have watched him since his move from Burnley this was being kind. According to Weir, the barracking from the stands has not helped the 22 year-old's case.

"Confidence plays a big part in football," said Weir. "But when you are young at a club like this, it is difficult. It takes some people longer than others and it is not easy playing for Rangers. There is a lot of attention on you and 50,000 people here watching every move and ready to pick up on every bad pass. That in itself takes a bit of getting used to, because there is no hiding place. Confidence plays a big part, as does mental strength. That's maybe something he needs to develop."

Lafferty gives the impression of having thick skin and has proved admirably resilient during what have often been cameo appearances this season. Again on Wednesday he drew the anger of supporters in a poor first half but returned after the interval to make his mark on the match. But it seems certain that even Lafferty would have been given pause for thought after Weir's outburst at Aberdeen in September.

"The demands at Rangers are never-ending," pointed out Weir, with reference to that day. "That's what a dressing room is for. There should be words said if things happen and that takes place day in and day out. It's not uncommon. If it is said in the right way and it can help people then I think it is a positive factor. That's the way our dressing operates."