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Gareth Fullerton

Kyle Lafferty to Linfield - Barry Johnston weighs up new arrival and makes bold Blues prediction

Barry Johnston believes "nobody will stop Linfield" if the Northern Ireland striker hits the ground running in the Irish Premiership.

Lafferty has joined the Blues for the remainder of the season after parting company with Kilmarnock last month.

The 35-year-old striker has followed in the footsteps of international teammate Niall McGinn who swapped Scotland for Glentoran during the January window.

Read more: Ex-Irish League defender recalls earning Kirk Hunter respect with 50-50 tackle

McGinn has made an instant impression at the Oval, scoring seven goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for the East Belfast side.

And if Lafferty can make a similar impression at Windsor, then Johnston believes the unpredictable striker could drive Linfield to a fifth successive title.

He told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast: "It is brilliant for the league. I don't know what Kyle will bring, because he has had a few off-field distractions which have hindered his career.

"He knows that himself. He has had so many clubs in so many years, it is ridiculous.

"He might stay here, focus and get two or three years out of himself. He is in the latter stages of his career."

Johnston joked: "I hope he really does well, not necessarily for Linfield this season as I want Cliftonville to win. Although according to some Linfield fans I have a wee affiliation with them.

"But getting a player of that stature is brilliant for the league. He is an international footballer, and it is unbelievable for the league.

"I saw David Healy today and any wonder he was smiling."

Reflecting on McGinn's return to the Irish League, Johnston said: "NIall McGinn has played in this league before so he knows what it's about. This league has evolved and it probably suits Niall more now coming from a full-time set-up.

"If Kyle hits the ground running like Niall has then nobody will stop Linfield. But is he going to be a marked man? One million per cent.

"He will get an elbow in the ear in the first minute, and someone will put it on him. It's how he reacts to the wind-up, because he is going to be the biggest fish in our league and be targeted.

"He will be pin-pointed. I just hope he doesn't bite so he ends up in the Sunday papers for the wrong reasons.

"He has scored goals in the big games for Rangers, and also for Burnley and clubs like that. He has quality, but I hope he realises his own potential over the final years of his career.

"He doesn't need any of the nonsense. I hope he doesn't play to the crowd and he knuckles down.

"He has had a tremendous career, playing international football. I think he owes it to himself, to be honest."

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