Northern Ireland’s two-goal hero Kyle Lafferty going through ‘toughest time’

Unwanted Norwich striker Kyle Lafferty admits he is experiencing the hardest spell of his career as he tries to remain Northern Ireland’s talisman.

The 29-year-old was relegated to the bench for his country’s 4-0 win over San Marino because of a lack of playing time with the Canaries, for whom he has featured in just one EFL Cup game this term.

While Alex Neil has seen little worth in his striker since taking the job in 2015, Northern Irish boss Michael O’Neill has been able to draw out the best of Lafferty and his brace from the bench on Saturday took his tally to nine in his nation’s previous 11 qualifiers.

That is a return that only Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale and Thomas Muller can better in the same time frame on the continent, and Lafferty is continuing to fire despite being left out in the cold over in Norfolk.

“It probably is the toughest time of my career,” Lafferty admitted.

“I want to play as many games for Northern Ireland as I can. With not starting, I’m always going to be disappointed. I have to respect my team-mates and the decision of the manager.

“If he says I’m not fit enough, if he sees I’m going to be better for the team playing 30 minutes and not starting, I have to respect that.”

Northern Ireland fans are perplexed by Lafferty’s omissions, not only from Norwich’s line-up but also, at times, their 18-man squad given they see a lethal marksman when he is in a green shirt.

The forward attributes his form for his country to O’Neill’s belief in him.

“I have a manager who has a lot of faith in me,” he added.