Kyle Lafferty Kilmarnock exit reason revealed as 'breach of club rules' leads to surprise striker axe

Kyle Lafferty currently finds himself without a club after being ousted by Kilmarnock on deadline day

Kyle Lafferty's release from Kilmarnock on transfer deadline day came after a 'disciplinary dispute' with the Rugby Park board, reports suggest.

Lafferty, who joined Killie for a second time last January in the Scottish Championship promotion bid, fired eight goals in 14 games under Derek McInnes to lead the Ayrshire side back into the top-flight after one year in the second tier. He aimed to replicate that form again this season, though in a tougher league he only managed one goal in 10 league games until mid-October.

His season was derailed after a video emerged of the former Rangers striker using a sectarian slur towards a Celtic fan while on international duty, resulting in a 10-game ban by the SFA. He only returned to action in mid-January, featuring in losses to Rangers and Ross County in the league. On deadline day his time at Rugby Park came to an abrupt end with the club releasing him from his contract. The Herald claim it was due to a 'breach of club rules'.

Killie manager Derek McInnes couldn't hide his disappointment at the timing of the contract termination, stating: “It wasn’t perfect for me. The timing was awful to be honest but it was a decision made above me, between the board and Kyle.

“Unfortunately it left us short on what we were trying to get but we move on. I really enjoyed working with Kyle and we wish him well but unfortunately for us the timing wasn’t great. I feel as if he’s somebody I’ll always be there for and I’ll keep the relationship with him, but unfortunately I’m no longer going to be his manager and we move on.”

His side currently sit ninth in the table, three points from the bottom of the league Dundee United - leaving relegation a real possibility with Lafferty's goal threat being a real loss so late into the season.

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