Lingering Lafferty issue offers Sadiq the opportunity to fight for his Rangers career
Usually club managers are able to keep out of disputes between their players and their international bosses; but Steven Gerrard has been dragged into Kyle Lafferty’s spat with Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
Lafferty’s decision to full out of the most recent international break at the eleventh hour angered the Irish FA to the extent that they want to prevent him from playing for Rangers this weekend against Hamilton.
They have invoked a rarely-used FIFA clause, which threatens to leave Gerrard light in attack. Keeping in mind that he will be without both Lafferty and Alfredo Morelos for the League Cup semi-final later this month, that may provide an opportunity for one Rangers man to come in from the cold.
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Gerrard took a punt on Umar Sadiq in the summer, looking to bolster his striking options, before he managed to secure the return of Lafferty.
The Liverpool icon has clearly not been impressed as the hitman has not featured much at all yet. But the Lafferty issue may offer him an opportunity to muscle back into his manager’s plans.
It may feel a bit premature, but it could be Sadiq’s last chance at Ibrox. He must make the most of it.
