Rangers boss McCoist hints at new deal for Lafferty
Last updated on .From the section Football
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has hinted that he wants Kyle Lafferty to stay at Ibrox beyond his current contract.
The Northern Ireland striker scored in Rangers' Old Firm win on Sunday, taking his tally to 10 goals in his last 10 league outings.
He has less than two years left on the five-year-deal he struck when joining from Burnley for £3m in 2008.
McCoist said: "He is a key player for us and you want to keep all of your key players."
Lafferty had to leave his club's pre-season tour of Germany to have surgery on his groin, which meant he missed Rangers' first competitive matches of the new campaign.
But since returning to the first-team squad he has scored three goals, including Rangers' third in the 4-2 victory over rivals Celtic.
And McCoist sees that as a sign that the player's game is maturing.
He said: "We missed Kyle when he was out at the start of this season with the hernia operation.
"Kyle is different. He will always get on the end of things and make things happen and create chances and miss one or two and score one or two. That's why we love him.
"I don't want to put any more pressure on him but he seems to be coming of age in the respect that he has been more consistent - his goals have been more consistent and his performances have been more consistent.
"Hopefully he is heading in the right direction and that will continue."
