BOYD SURE MORELOS WILL FIND HIS MARK
KRIS Boyd watched Alfredo Morelos blow chance after chance against Celtic and knew precisely how he felt.
In two spells as a Rangers player, the PFA Scotland Player of the Year nominee scored 137 goals for the Ibrox club.
Yet, when judgment day came, his failure to score in Old Firm games was cast up and thrown back in his face.
Impressed by the way Morelos keeps coming back for more despite the heartbreaking resistance of Celtic keeper Craig Gordon, the Kilmarnock striker believes that the Colombian’s moment will come.
‘Listen, I’ve had that thrown at me, as well — the idea that I couldn’t score against Celtic — many times,’ said Boyd, who scored a solitary goal against Celtic in his Rangers career.
‘It’s part and parcel of life as a Rangers striker. And it’s the same for Celtic strikers when they play against Rangers.
‘He knows the pressures of playing there. He knows the pressures he faces, every single week, to score goals.
‘I think, because of the way he started the season, the goals were flying in, and now there has been a little drought. But, when I look at him, he doesn’t shy away from his responsibilities.’
A haul of 18 goals in his first season at Ibrox marks a decent return for Morelos — earning a nomination on the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year shortlist.
But the striker will still be haunted by the succession of chances he has passed up against Celtic.
A failure to prod home from six yards with the last kick of a 3-2 defeat at Ibrox was followed by a poor effort from pointblank range in a Scottish Cup semifinal thrashing.
‘Even with the miss
he had against Celtic, he goes right back for more,’ countered Boyd. ‘He will continue to go back. ‘So there is a player in there who can be worked and can become a top striker.’ Rangers rejected big-money bids from Chinese club Beijing Renhe in January, believing they have a player who can eventually rake in top dollar. ‘If the bid was there that Rangers said was there, rather than cashing in, there is something there they can work with and, hopefully, develop into a top-class striker,’ said Boyd. ‘But you are always going to be judged against Celtic. ‘And, if you have missed the chances he has against Celtic, it will be disappointing. ‘I’m sure he will go back again and will be prepared to miss more — just to get that one opportunity that he will take. ‘I look at Alfredo Morelos and see someone who has been a handful for defenders over the season. He’s caused them problems. ‘I think you are always going to get this with youngsters coming in — and people forget that he is still only young. ‘There is time for him to develop into a player. ‘He would say it himself, probably, that there are a lot of things he can add to his game, a lot of things he can change. ‘But there is a player in there who can mature and become a top, top striker. ‘What I will say is, yes, you can improve aspects of your game. But there is one thing that separates a lot of forwards from the pack — and that’s putting the ball in the net.’ Benched for last
weekend’s 2-1 win over Hearts, the goalscoring contribution of Jason Cummings gives Ibrox boss Graeme Murty a selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s final Old Firm league meeting of the season at Parkhead.
‘I think Rangers have got a big decision about what they do at the weekend, there’s no doubt about that,’ added Boyd.
‘It hasn’t been great for them in Old Firm games recently.
‘I was very surprised with the way Graeme Murty lined up the last time (in the Scottish Cup semi-final). Because I felt they had caused Celtic problems in the previous games.
‘To go and totally change it, to try to accommodate that Celtic midfield three, it left Kieran Tierney that whole left side to himself.
‘It was surprising. But I’m sure Graeme will have another game plan for this weekend.’
Both flattered and delighted to be shortlisted for the PFA award, Boyd has been a key factor in the Kilmarnock resurgence under Steve Clarke, claiming 21 goals for the season at the age of 34.
‘It’s been some turnaround for me, there’s no doubt about it,’ continued the veteran striker.
‘Yes, I need to go out and do it on the pitch but, without the guys around about me, this wouldn’t be possible.
‘It’s a big thank you to them as well for their help as they’ve been excellent and the gaffer as well, since he came in as he has been brilliant.
‘It is good to get a bit of recognition but the thanks goes to them as, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.
‘I haven’t been nominated many times. When you score goals, it becomes the norm and people only start talking about you when you don’t score 20 or 25 goals a season.
‘I don’t know why I wasn’t nominated when I was at Rangers. Football changes sometimes.
‘It just became the norm that I would get 20-odd goals every season when I was at Rangers.
‘The last time I was nominated was when I was at Kilmarnock after another fantastic season when we managed to stay up.
‘I have always scored goals and always get into the right positions to score them — but it’s down to the guys I play with to find me and it’s a credit to them.’