Kyle Lafferty makes Hearts admission as he enjoys renaissance at Kilmarnock

Kyle Lafferty admits Hearts was the most prolific year of his career – but he is hitting an even higher goalscoring ratio to help Kilmarnock fight relegation.

Kyle Lafferty has found his best formsince leaving Hearts at Kilmarnock. Picture: SNS

The Northern Irishman, now 33, has scored ten times in nine appearances since joining the Ayrshire club in February. They sit second bottom of the Premiership with two games remaining.

Lafferty’s 19 goals in 41 games for Hearts in season 2017/18 was his best ever over a full campaign. However, his current rate is even greater, earning him April’s Premiership Player of the Month award from the Scottish Professional Football League.

He joined Kilmarnock hoping to help them avoid going down and is producing the kind of form which earned him hero worship in Edinburgh.

Kyle Lafferty is now a free agent. Picture: SNS

“I've scored ten goals in nine games and there are 38 games in a season. If you do the maths, I'll end up with about 40 goals,” smiled the striker. “It's probably one of my best runs. Hearts is my best year. Getting 19 goals is the highest-scoring season I've had.”

Asked about pressure bringing out his best form, Lafferty replied: “I would love to say it was when the trophies and medals come out, but unfortunately this time that’s different.

“It’s simply that everything I’m hitting at the minute is going in. I don’t do anything different, I prepare for games the same way.

“I’ve always been someone who finds that, when the pressure is on, I always provide goals. I have come in here for the last two months and they needed goals to pick up points.”

Lafferty warned that the goals and celebrations will mean nothing if Rugby Park ends up hosting Championship football next term.

“These goals will count for nothing if we get relegated. I came here to save the team from relegation,” stated Lafferty. “If I end up with ten goals and relegation, it counts for nothing. I'd rather score five goals and save the team because that's what I came here to do.

“It's not about individual rewards, it's about the whole team. Ask me if we stay in the league and it will be a different answer.”

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