CLARK BACKS BOYD TO SHINE
KENNY MILLER is targeting his 100th goal for Rangers at Rugby Park tonight, but Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark insists the veteran’s former strike partner could yet steal the limelight. Kris Boyd reached the same landmark for the Ayrshire side in the 2-1 win at Hamilton a fortnight ago and his manager is backing the 33-year-old — who also scored 138 goals over two spells at Ibrox — to get on the scoresheet again when he faces his former club. Boyd is one of the few seasoned pros in a Killie squad weakened by the loss of defender Miles Addison for five-to-six weeks with an ankle injury, but Clark is remaining upbeat. ‘Kris is now on to the next stage of getting his second century of goals for us, so who’s to say he can’t start tomorrow?’ asked the Englishman. ‘He’s been a pivotal player for us in recent weeks and he knows what this fixture is all about from both sides.’ Clark has assembled the youngest squad in the Premiership and accepts some may be initially starstruck facing the likes of Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar. ‘Will our lads be overawed by them? Possibly,’ he said. ‘But we can’t fear them because then you’re beaten straight away. ‘Underdogs always get a result somewhere down the line — look at Accrington Stanley beating Burnley on Wednesday night. ‘We need to show a desire and determination to do it. We’re not here to get autographs or take selfies — we’re here to do whatever we have to do to win.’ However, Addison’s absence tilts the odds further against the hosts. ‘Miles is definitely out for five or six weeks,’ added Clark. ‘The specialist doesn’t want to go down the surgery route, so he’s had a steroid injection but he might still need an operation at the end of the season. ‘It’s a blow because he’s a big player for us, but it gives other people an opportunity.’