KYLE LAFFERTY HAS ruled himself out of Northern Ireland’s upcoming Uefa Nations League games after calling manager Michael O’Neill to inform him he wouldn’t be linking up with the squad.
The 31-year-old was originally included in O’Neill’s squad for the fixtures against Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina this week, but now won’t be available for selection.
Advertisement
Lafferty has scored 20 goals for Northern Ireland. Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
Lafferty, who has rejoined Rangers from Hearts this season, is Northern Ireland’s second-highest goalscorer with 20 international goals and has been a central part of the team’s success under O’Neill in recent years.
In a statement released by the Northern Ireland FA on Tuesday evening, O’Neill said he was ‘disappointed’ by Lafferty’s decision and ‘will address this situation after the international period’.
After losing their opening Nations League B Group 2 fixture at home to Bosnia, Northern Ireland travel to Vienna to face Austria on Friday night before the return fixture against Bosnia next Monday.
“Kyle Lafferty called me late on Sunday night to tell me that he would not be travelling on Monday to join up with the Northern Ireland squad as expected,” O’Neill said.
“I am disappointed that he has ruled himself out of the two games but our focus is on the players who are with us and I will address this situation after the international period.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
O'Neill 'disappointed' after Rangers striker rules himself out of Northern Ireland squad
KYLE LAFFERTY HAS ruled himself out of Northern Ireland’s upcoming Uefa Nations League games after calling manager Michael O’Neill to inform him he wouldn’t be linking up with the squad.
The 31-year-old was originally included in O’Neill’s squad for the fixtures against Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina this week, but now won’t be available for selection.
Lafferty, who has rejoined Rangers from Hearts this season, is Northern Ireland’s second-highest goalscorer with 20 international goals and has been a central part of the team’s success under O’Neill in recent years.
In a statement released by the Northern Ireland FA on Tuesday evening, O’Neill said he was ‘disappointed’ by Lafferty’s decision and ‘will address this situation after the international period’.
After losing their opening Nations League B Group 2 fixture at home to Bosnia, Northern Ireland travel to Vienna to face Austria on Friday night before the return fixture against Bosnia next Monday.
“Kyle Lafferty called me late on Sunday night to tell me that he would not be travelling on Monday to join up with the Northern Ireland squad as expected,” O’Neill said.
“I am disappointed that he has ruled himself out of the two games but our focus is on the players who are with us and I will address this situation after the international period.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Kyle Lafferty Michael O'Neill statement Northern Ireland