Hands off top scorer Boyce,

JIM McINTYRE saluted on-fire striker Liam Boyce and warned potential suitors he’s not for sale.

The Northern Irishman could finish top scorer in the Premiership.

He hit a double against Kilmarnock to take his season’s total to 23.

Celtic’s Scott Sinclair needs three goals against Hearts today to go past Boyce.

The only doubt about the Ross County man’s tally comes from his manager believing an effort from Christopher Routis may have crossed the line before Boyce made sure for his side’s first.

Whether it is 22 or 23 goals, McIntyre is delighted with his man’s showing this term.

He said: “Liam has been fantastic. To get the amount of goals at a provincial club says a lot about him.

“It would be a fantastic achievement if he gets top scorer.

“If your player is scoring goals, people will be interested but we have no interest in selling him.”

There is thought to be a £500,000 release clause in Boyce’s contract.

Twenty years ago this week, McIntyre was in the Kilmarnock team that beat Falkirk 1-0 to win the Scottish Cup.

Yesterday his work denied his old club a boost to their budget. Killie could have leapfrogged County into seventh position had they won and that’s worth an extra £55,000 in prize money.

It was cash the club could certainly have used.

They have plans to open their own indoor training facility in the near future.

Supporters will hope extra finance arrives from potential backers following the departure of former chairman Michael Johnston.

The more immediate task is to confirm Lee McCulloch as manager.

McCulloch was disappointed to end the