Jefferies: History Boydwell worthyof ‘great’ tag
KRIS BOYD, a striker who divides opinion in Scottish football, is poised to make history on Sunday by becoming only the fifth player since World War II to score 200 top-flight goals.
However, should he achieve this remarkable milestone against Aberdeen he will truly be classed as one of the game’s greats – according to former manager Jim Jefferies and Killie captain Stevie Smith.
Boyd’s goal last Saturday at Dens took him to 199 Premier League and Premiership goals for Kilmarnock and Rangers. Only Ally McCoist (260),
Willie Wallace (224), Joe McBride (217) and Jimmy Wardhaugh (211) have scored more.
And if he scores twice against Aberdeen he will also become the first player to score 100 top-flight league goals for two clubs – with 101 for Rangers in 143.
Now he has blasted 98 for Killie in 246 matches and Jefferies said: “It doesn’t surprise me because he is still a predator.
“[Former Rugby Park manager] Bobby Williamson had introduced him to the first team but he became more involved after I took over.
“Of course, like all young players his form could dip but we felt no matter how he was playing he was always liable to get you a goal. “We would think, ‘We need
to take him off’, but then he would grab a goal out of nothing. He was also a great character – although he could be a little wild at times. But what a finisher, and when he gets 200 there will be no one happier than me.”
Jeff also revealed that the sale of Boyd to Rangers for around £400,000 in January 2006 kept Killie afloat.
He said: “I remember when Jamie Moffat left and Michael Johnston came in we knew we had to sell Boyd to raise the necessary funds. Rangers were keen and we ended up getting more than we thought. That was key to the business plan so he didn’t just help us on the park. “The sale of Kris effectively helped us to survive. “I remember one day at Livingston this ball came over the halfway line and it wasn’t an easy one to take because the ball bounced awkwardly and I thought, ‘He’s not going to shoot’. “And the next thing he smashed one into the top corner from 35 yards. “His record is phenomenal really and I knew when he went to Rangers in 2006 he would score a bundle for them. He was going to a team that was making a lot of chances and he certainly did the business. “It’s quite simple really: if you create enough chances for Boydy and he’ll score regularly.”
Killie skipper Smith believes Boyd also deserves to be classed as one of the true greats.
Smith, who also played with the striker at Ibrox and Portland Timbers, said: “I don’t think there is any doubt that he should he held in the highest esteem.
“He will become a legend when he gets the 200th goal but I reckon he’s one already.
“The amount of times that he scored crucial goals and match-winners is frightening. I hope he does it on Sunday – live on TV. It’s the right setting for a man of his talents.”
Jefferies feels there is time to really set a mark – even if McCoist’s tally is too much.
Jefferies added: “The thing is he is only 33, so if Lee Clark still thinks he can do a job he could be banging in the goals for another couple of seasons at least.
“McCoist’s record might be beyond him, but he must have a decent chance of finishing his career as No.2.”