Rangers news: Barry Ferguson has warned Kyle Lafferty (Image: GETTY)
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard sealed the signing of Jermain Defoe and managed to keep hold of top scorer Alfredo Morelos despite continued interest in the Columbia international.
Many questioned whether the two forwards would be played together or rotated, but Gerrard has since claimed that he is likely to deploy them as a duo.
That reveal has left Kyle Lafferty’s stance at Ibrox weakened, with his game time likely to be reduced.
“He has to realise now that he has a real fight on his hands to prove that he belongs there,” Barry Ferguson told the Daily Record.
There is no doubt in my mind that Lafferty is Rangers class
Barry Ferguson
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Lafferty left in 2012 and rejoined in the summer, but Ferguson believes this is his last chance to prove himself at the Scottish club.
Ferguson said: “The reason I bring it all up now is because, for once in his life, it is time for my old team mate to get deadly serious before the second chance he has been given at Ibrox is taken away from him for good.
“If there’s one thing he must have realised by now it’s that Steven Gerrard is not a man to be messed with.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Lafferty is Rangers class.
“I know because I played with him at Rangers and I could see straight away that he had something special in his locker.”
Rangers news: Kyle Lafferty, Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos are in direct competition at Rangers (Image: GETTY)
Lafferty has made 20 appearances for Rangers this season, scoring four goals.
However, the Northern Ireland international was surprisingly dropped for Sunday’s clash with Livingston.
When asked about Lafferty’s absence Gerrard said: “I pick the best players and the players I think can get the job done.
"There’ll be opportunities in the short, medium and long term for him.”