Kyle Lafferty has admitted regret over his exit from Kilmarnock.

The striker departed the Ayrshire club on deadline day last week amid discussions with the club's board regarding a disciplinary issue.

Killie were very short in their announcement of the parting of ways with the 35-year-old, but it later emerged that it was an off-field decision, with Derek McInnes admitting he didn't want to see the Northern Ireland international leave.

And ex-Rangers star Lafferty insists he's gutted he can't help the manager keeper Killie in the Premiership.

The new Linfield man has even drawn comparisons between McInnes and Rangers great Walter Smith.

Lafferty says moving to Linfield was a "no-brainer", as he links up with ex-teammate David Healy with the Northern Irish champions.

But he admits there's still that feeling of regret about leaving Rugby Park, with Killie just three points above the relegation spot.

READ MORE: Kyle Lafferty on Rangers connection which made Linfield 'no-brainer'

The former Hearts man says McInnes was something he'd "run through brick walls" for - much like Smith all those years ago.

He said: “I am disappointed that I won’t get to work with McInnes and his staff again. I rate him next to Walter Smith.

“Walter was Walter and no one comes close but, from what I experienced with Derek, he knew how to get the best out of me.

“Like Walter, he showed so much faith in me and I wanted to run through brick walls for him. We were climbing up the table this season and he deserves success.”

Prior to his Killie release, Lafferty had briefly returned to first team action after months out with a ten game ban for using sectarian language on a night out.

He commented: “One minute you’re the main man and the next you’re out of the team. That was because of the mistake I made.”

Glasgow Times:

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