Former Rangers and Kilmarnock star Kyle Lafferty says he gets abuse every day of his life

Former Rangers and Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty says he faces abuse every single day of his life.

The Northern Ireland international, who this week signed for West of Scotland league side Johnstone Burgh, says he is targeted even when going to shop for a pint of milk.

Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, Lafferty also said he regretted making a sectarian comment on a night out, but said it had to be placed in the context of the abuse he faces daily.

The Scottish Football Association imposed a ten-game ban on Lafferty last October over his sectarian language, which was filmed and uploaded on social media.

“Obviously, I regret what I said,” said Lafferty. “I shouldn’t have said, I had one or two drinks in me and someone tried to take the mickey out of me, but I obviously reacted in the wrong way.

“I think everyone has to realise I get that every single day of my life, I get stuff said about my kids and my family. It’s no excuse for what I said but, the bigger picture, I get abused every single day of my life.

‘I think everyone has to realise I get that every single day of my life, I get stuff said about my kids and my family.’
Kyle Lafferty

“I nip around the corner for a pint of milk or a newspaper, someone will try and wind me up and I usually just laugh at them. And once incident that I reacted and it’s the headline in most of the UK.

“It’s one of those things I have to get on with. I’ve come out and apologised, and I move on.

Lafferty in action for Rangers against Celtic in 2018. Alan Harvey via SNS Group

Lafferty made a surprise exit from Kilmarnock in January shortly before the transfer deadline window slammed shut.

It was announced this week that he has signed a two-year deal with Scottish seventh-tier side Johnstone Burgh.

The 35-year-old, who has 89 caps for Northern Ireland, has followed former Ibrox team mate Graham Dorrans to the West of Scotland League First Division outfit.

Lafferty has had a nomadic career since making his first-team debut for Burnley in 2005, playing in Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, Norway, Cyprus and, most recently, Northern Ireland with NIFL Premiership outfit Linfield, whom he joined after leaving Kilmarnock.

✍🏻 Kyle Lafferty 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/NJPyZU78zy
— Johnstone Burgh Football Club (@johnstone_burgh) July 12, 2023

Lafferty said: “I did hold my hands up (about the sectarian comment) but I have to give massive credit to Kilmarnock. The way they handled it – they’ve stepped in straight away, punished me for doing and they stuck by me, which was massive for me.

“The manager there (Derek McInnes), he was brilliant towards me, the owners of Kilmarnock all stood behind me, which was massive for me and my family.

Lafferty left Kilmarnock abruptly on transfer deadline day. Ross MacDonald via SNS Group

“There’s no excuses for what I’ve done but I just want to move on now and let the football do the talking. I loved my time at Kilmarnock and that’s why I spent two periods there of my career, had a great relationship with the fans, had a great relationship with the manager and the club itself, just everyone around it.

“I’ll look out for their results every single week. Everyone knows I’m a Rangers fan but Kilmarnock will be the team I look out for as well – I’ve a massive space for them in my heart and I wish them all the best for the season.”