He was doing STAR JUMPS outside my office – Kyle Lafferty’s bid to face Celtic in cup semi after Killie ban ‘torture’
DEREK McINNES says Kyle Lafferty was doing star jumps outside his office and brought him breakfast in his bid to persuade his manager that he should start the Viaplay Cup semi-final vs Celtic.
The 35-year-old former Rangers star is free to face the Hoops in the Hampden showpiece after he completed his 10-game SFA suspension for using a sectarian slur to a Celtic fan in a Belfast nightclub.
After a fan in the clip pranks him by shouting 'up the Celtic,' Lafferty could be seen aiming the slur "Fenian b******" in his response.
Kilmarnock immediately launched an investigation into the situation and slapped the 35-year old with a huge fine.
He was also axed from the Northern Ireland squad having been on international duty at the time of the video emerging.
But his ban is finally over - with McInnes praising the star for his commitment in training.
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He also said he had been a source of huge support to his team, and had attended every match - APART from the clash at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Killie went down 2-0 to the same opponents in a dress rehearsal - but there was a fair amount of shadow boxing involved.
McInnes said: "He was doing star jumps outside my office this morning and brought me breakfast.
"I know how much he wants to play - the same as all my players want to play.
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"He is bursting to get involved, it has been torture for him missing out.
"I think for any player you can accept and have to deal with injuries. If you are missing three, four, five six months with injury ...
"But Kyle has not been injured, he has been fit and running about and training.
"He has been really supportive, except Celtic Park on Saturday he has been at every game, supporting the team.
"He has still got a big role to play in and around the game.
"We need him now to have a big role until the end of the season on the pitch."
"I have got a big squad - and everyone is bursting to play, Kyle included."
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