Ginnelly glad to have Boyce back in the Hearts fold

HEARTS forward Josh Ginnelly has welcomed the return to fitness of Liam Boyce, insisting the marksman strikes fear into the opposition.

Boyce is set for his first start in five games in today’s visit of St Mirren after recovering from a calf strain.

With 10 goals in all competition, the Northern Ireland international is by far Hearts’ top

scorer. Gary Mackay-Steven, Stephen Kingsley and John Souttar are next in line with three apiece.

Boyce climbed off the bench for the last hour in last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Motherwell and Ginnelly is delighted by the fact he is likely to start this afternoon.

Ginnelly, speaking to promote the new 2021/22 SPFL Sticker Collection, said: “Boycey is a brilliant player and so clever. Having him back will frighten teams because he has got everything. I think with him in the team, even big Armand (Gnanduillet) is playing, we have a focal point up front.

“But we need to be scoring more goals. I don’t think it should be up to Boycie to score all the goals, or Armand. We all have to chip in.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Flynn believes St Mirren’s squad is as strong as he has known it – but he warned they have to make it count.

Flynn joined the Buddies four years ago in January and has

helped them rise from the bottom of the Scottish Championship to, currently, the top six of the Premiership.

He said: “It’s really clear that the squad is really strong, especially this season, and we have to make it count.

“We have got people fighting for every position throughout the whole team. Hopefully we can do something good this season.

“It’s good for competition for places but there is also such a good spirit through the team.”