Lafferty apologises for fake headbutt

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GLASGOW, May 19, 2009 (AFP) - Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has apologised for a show of theatrics that ended in Aberdeen's Charlie Mulgrew being red-carded at the weekend.

The Northern Ireland international issued his mea culpa for his theatrical reaction to a "headbutt" which saw Mulgrew dismissed during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Ibrox.

The player has been fined by Rangers and says he is willing to accept any further punishment handed out by the Scottish Football Association.

"I know I'm going to get labelled as a diver and a cheat now. Probably for a long time, maybe the rest of my career," he told the Scottish Sun.

"But despite what's happened, that's definitely not me.

"The thing that hurts me the most is what people are obviously now going to be thinking of me. But I deserve what's coming my way now.

"I've been fined by the club and I understand the SFA are also looking at possible action.

"But I'll take whatever punishment I get because I deserve it.

"What I did on Saturday was the biggest mistake of my career."

Meanwhile, Aberdeen director of football Willie Miller has called for severe punishment from the SFA.

He told the Daily Record: "The SFA must come down hard on Lafferty's shameful diving and play-acting at Ibrox.

"When Gordon Smith became the SFA's chief executive he said he was desperate to clamp down on players feigning injury.

"This is the perfect opportunity for Smith to stand by his convictions by hammering Lafferty."