Boyce’s goal blitz was for his late uncle
LIAM BOYCE scored four goals as Ross County cruised to victory in the Highland derby — and left rivals Inverness staring into the relegation abyss. The Northern Irishman, who scored twice in each half against Richie Foran’s strugglers, dedicated his spectacular haul to his late uncle. ‘I lost a family member and I know my dad and my aunts and uncles were watching,’ said the 26-year-old striker, who looked to the sky after firing in the first of his goals. ‘I wanted to bring a bit of happiness to them. That’s what the celebration was about. It was for my Uncle Thomas, who passed away on Thursday. ‘Hopefully, I helped put a smile on the faces of the family
members who were watching.’ After the kick-off was delayed due to an accident on the A9, Boyce netted a firsthalf double, taking advantage of a mistake by keeper Ryan Esson, before heading home the second. Boyce then scored two penalties after the break, with Liam Polworth sent off for conceding the second, to complete a miserable night for Caley Thistle, who look doomed to life in the Championship. Disconsolate boss Foran defended the club’s board after supporters turned on them during last night’s rout. ‘The board have come in for some criticism — but it’s nothing to do with the board,’ he said. ‘They’ve backed me with my signings, so most of the blame has to go on me. ‘There has been too many individual mistakes and the players haven’t done well enough. But I haven’t got the best out of them. ‘I’m a supporter like them (the fans). I love this city and the club like they do. If they can stick by us for these last four games, it would be great. ‘I understand the criticism. These players are probably too good people, they’re not nasty. ‘The game was pretty even until we conceded. We lacked a Liam Boyce in the final third, who always causes us problems. ‘We worked on stopping crosses in the box over the last ten days and we didn’t do that again. ‘Probably over the piece there wasn’t a lot in the game, they were just more clinical. They bullied us — I have too many nice players in there. I need nasty players. ‘I look at my signings. Why didn’t I sign a few warriors? ‘All the fans are waiting for us to go a goal ahead. We need 12 points now to stay in the league. We’ve made it difficult for ourselves but it’s not impossible.’