BURNLEY striker Ade Akinbiyi believes his former Clarets teammate Kyle Lafferty may take a year to settle at Rangers.

Lafferty, who missed a golden opportunity to find the net as Northern Ireland lost 2-0 in their World Cup qualifier in Slovenia on Saturday, left Turf Moor in the summer to join Rangers for £3.5m.

But, blighted by a series of niggling injuries, the 21-year-old has netted just once since his move to the SPL.

Lafferty has, however, received the backing of Akinbiyi, who insists that his old teammate will need time to settle.

Akinbiyi found it difficult to live up to a £5m price tag during his days in the Premier League with Leicester and believes the money Rangers paid for Lafferty - the highest fee ever received for a Burnley player - may be affecting him.

“I wasn’t surprised Kyle went for that kind of money because we all thought he was a good player,” said Akinbiyi.

“He came into the Burnley team really early and was still a kid. But he did tremendously well for us.

“Maybe the price is preying on his mind a little because it’s a lot of money. He’s inexperienced and it’s his first major move.

“But I’m sure in time the Rangers fans will see the real Kyle. He’s an ambitious guy but everything has come so quickly for him.

“It was the same when I used to move clubs every year - it’s difficult to get settled quickly.

“It could take Kyle as long as a year to settle and show his best form. It will take time but I’m sure he will do well up there.”

And, although Lafferty was often used on the left by the Clarets, Akinbiyi believes the striker will benefit from playing up front for the Gers.

He said: “Kyle’s favourite position has always been down the middle.

“Burnley switched him out to the left and he did well.

“He might not have scored as many from there but when played as a striker Kyle showed he is more than capable of finding the net.

“He’ll always get his fair share as a main striker.

"Once people start playing him down the middle and he gets settled there you’ll see the best of him.

“I always thought we didn’t do him justice by playing him on the left.”