Armstrong buoyed by increase in expectations
KILMARNOCK winger Daniel Armstrong is “loving” the added expectation levels he has attracted following his impressive start to the season.
Armstrong is Killie’s top goalscorer with eight goals and has also provided two assists in the cinch Premiership in a total haul of 24 chances created heading into today’s trip to Tynecastle.
The 25- year- old showed he could handle the pressure that such a record brings when he converted a match- winning penalty against Hibernian before the mid- season break to take Killie off the foot of the table.
On his new- found responsibility, Armstrong said: “I am loving it. That’s why you play football. I would rather be that person than a person that nobody relies on.
“It brings me confidence as well when you hear people talking about your form and how many goals and assists you have got.
“There is a long way to go and hopefully I can keep chipping away and getting goals and assists and helping the team push up the league.”
Meanwhile, Hearts centre- forward Liam Boyce insists he always wanted to stay at Hearts after signing a oneyear contract extension at Tynecastle.
The striker, who is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, is now committed to Hearts until summer 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.
Boyce, who was out of contract at the end of the season, said: “There was a bit of interest as I came into my last season, but I always knew that I wanted to stay. My family is settled here and my daughter is in school.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time here over the last three years and been able to play well along with feeling like a big part of the team. I’m glad it’s sorted and now I’m fully focused on getting back.
“I’ve always said that this is the biggest club I’ve played for.”