Kyle Lafferty hopes Rangers up bid but won't force the issue
However, the 30-year-old admitted that he hoped by doing so would encourage his former club to produce a bid that would pave the way for his return to Ibrox.
Speaking for the first time since Hearts rejected a £200,000 offer, the Northern Irishman said he would not attempt to force a move by off-field means.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Getting teams like Rangers interested in you, it’s something you have to look at and you know you’re doing something right,” he said. “Hearing teams like Rangers interested in you, you intend to give that little bit extra.


“But it’s up to the two clubs. I owe Hearts and the club the respect to continue giving 110 per cent. If something happens, it happens but it’s out of my hands. I am just working hard, playing in games, getting results like today and enjoying football.
“If the clubs agree something, they agree something. If not, then I continue working hard. It’s not going to change my attitude.
“To show that obviously I can play, I can score goals. I will keep on concentrating on myself, doing well for the team and being involved in as many good results as possible.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLafferty said he has remained in open communication with manager Craig Levein over the interest with Rangers, and all other matters.
“We’ve spoken a few times. About football. Some not about football,” he said. “I’ve a good relationship with Ann [Budge, Hearts owner] with Austin [MacPhee, Hearts assistant], the gaffer. If there’s something bothering me I’ll tell them. And if there’s something bothering them they’ll be first to tell me.
“If I put the tools down, it is probably the worst thing I will do by disrespecting them.”
A more immediate concern for Levein was the fitness of his captain Christophe Berra who had to be removed on a stretcher after catching his foot in the turf. “It’s a worry. It’s a hamstring injury and it doesn’t look great. He’s still struggling to walk,” he said.
“That’s a concern and he’ll be a big loss.
“We don’t have an awful lot of cover in there and the fact Peter Haring was the one who would do that, he’s doing so well in midfield it would be hard to take him out of there.”