Russell Martin will bridge Rangers to Celtic chasm if board meet hefty demand made by Norwich and Ibrox old boy
Kyle Lafferty spent three years at Carrow Road with the new Rangers boss and says 'major shift' should excite fans
Kyle Lafferty believes Russell Martin can get Rangers closer to Celtic and challenge for the title - IF he's backed by the new owners.
The former Ibrox striker is excited about what his old Norwich City skipper can achieve at his boyhood club.
Lafferty says the gap between the Old Firm last term was too big and he expects Martin to bridge it in his first year in the job.
But the Northern Irishman is adamant that Gers' new manager needs a hefty transfer kitty from American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh if they want to stop Celtic doing five-in-a-row.
Lafferty, who spent five years at Rangers over two spells, told Record Sport: 'How quickly Russell can implement his ideas depends on the backing he gets from the new owners.
'You can throw a manager in and make promises. But if he doesn't get the funds, he'll struggle.
'I expect us to be closer to Celtic this year. Being 17 points behind them last season was unacceptable, just not good enough.
'When I played, we always had it in our heads that if we won the Old Firm games, we'd win the league.
'Last season, Rangers did well in the derby games but lacked something elsewhere. It will definitely be closer this year under Russ.
'I've no doubt that he will excite supporters. But it all comes down to the backing he gets.'
Lafferty spent three years with Martin as a team-mate at Carrow Road and believes Rangers have made a shrewd appointment.
He's looking forward to seeing a complete change in his old club's style of play, compared to previous boss Philippe Clement.
But he's warned Martin that - after years of failure at Ibrox - lifting silverware should be his number one priority.
Lafferty said: 'This will be a total shift for Rangers. Previously at the club, it's just all been about winning and getting the job done.
'But Russ will want to play a certain style of football - while knowing he has to win at the same time.
'At the end of the day, putting trophies in the cabinet again is all that matters.
'Too many managers at Rangers who have been and gone just haven't produced.
'Fergie (Barry Ferguson) came in and won some big games. In two Old Firms, we didn't lose one.
'That made Rangers fans proud again and Russ has to do the same.'
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