The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Boyce’s goal plunder pays County back for second opportunity Northern Irishman not willing to be drawn on future
Ross County forward Liam Boyce believes his outstanding form for the Staggies this season is the ideal repayment to the club for reviving his career.
Boyce’s double in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Kilmarnock meant he ended the campaign on 24 goals in all competitions, and ensured County finished seventh in the Premiership. The Belfast-born attacker has now scored 55 goals for the Dingwall side since joining from hometown club Cliftonville, where he had been in his second spell, in 2014.
The 26-year-old thought his opportunity had passed him by after a move to German outfit Werder Bremen in 2010 proved unsuccessful, but he is thankful to the Staggies for giving him a second chance which he feels he has grasped thanks to the help of manager Jim McIntyre and his coaching staff.
Boyce said: “When I went back to Northern Ireland, people were telling me I was doing well. But I knew I had to work harder. Germany was a blow to my confidence and I knew I had to work harder.
“I got another chance across the water when Ross County took me. I got fitter and I think I’ve been playing
HOW THEY FINISHED
well here. Because I was coming out of contract teams were willing to take a gamble on me because I was on a free, but if they hadn’t then I think I probably would still be playing in Ireland and wouldn’t be here. So I’m grateful to be given a chance here.
“In Northern Ireland, I was more like a number 10, where I tried to get the ball and make things happen. Over here it is more competitive and the players are fitter.
“I’ve tried to concentrate more on my movement in the box.
“I think I’ve gone to the next level as a forward because of my movement in the box. Nearly all my goals have come in the box this season. The coaching has all been about movement.”
Boyce is keen to avoid being distracted by speculation about his future, adding: “I’ve got a year left here. I’ll try to get some minutes in for Northern Ireland over the summer and come back ready to go. If anything happens they will have to go through the club and my agent and I don’t like getting involved in that. I don’t want to take my eye off the ball and just want to keep doing what I am doing.”
“Germany was a blow to my confidence and I knew I had to work harder”