Lafferty wants to silence critics

Lafferty has scored twice for Rangers this season

Rangers forward Kyle Lafferty has vowed to shrug off recent criticism of his performances and prove himself to the club's supporters.

The 21-year-old has been unable to hold down a first-team place since joining Rangers from Burnley for £3m in July.

"I've been criticised quite a lot but it isn't going to get me down," he told the club's official website.

"If anything, it makes me stronger and makes me want to prove to the fans I can do a job."

Lafferty was linked with a move to Celtic in the summer before Rangers secured the services of the Northern Ireland international.

"I didn't really think too much about how much money had been paid for me to begin with," said Lafferty. "I had started pretty well when I was on the field.

"But, after I had more little injuries and I began to spend a lot of time on the bench, people started to highlight how much Rangers had paid for me.

"Some were putting pressure on me and I think they're forgetting I'm still quite young and that I'm learning the game.

MY SPORT: DEBATE What do Rangers fans think of Lafferty's performances so far this season?

"I'm not using that as an excuse, it's just true. I've been a pro for a little over three years but last season was my first when I've played more than I've been on the bench.

"Even at that, I wasn't playing in my best position up front because Burnley used me out on the left instead.

"In the long run, I'm sure training with the players here and working with the coaching staff will help me improve as a player. I want to show the people out there who are doubting me that Rangers have a good player on their hands."

Burnley knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, having eliminated Chelsea in the previous round, and currently sit fourth in the Championship.

But Lafferty insists he has no regrets about leaving Turf Moor.

"Burnley have been picking up a lot of really good results," Lafferty said.

"But my time there is all in the past now and my only concern is Rangers and how we do here. That's who I supported as a kid and I always wanted to play for them."