A family affair in Dingwall for Staggies’ Liam
EVEN the closest of kin can endure their share of fall-outs and rough times. The tightest family units are those that emerge all the stronger for it.
Liam Boyce, Ross County’s Northern Ireland international striker, knows the unity of kindred spirits within the Dingwall dressing-room has been severely
tested of late. But he is in no doubt they will do exactly that – come through stronger for it.
A family man himself, with a baby daughter having arrived in the summer, the powerful forward has made a new home in the Highlands, remote from his native Belfast nest.
He is sincere when he says he views the fellow professionals within his dressing-room almost as siblings.
Approaching today’s tussle with Rangers on the back of a nine-game run without victory, Boyce was eager to set the poor form in plain perspective.
But he is in no doubt that the strength of bond within the camp will play a part in revival, sooner rather than later.
Boyce, alluding to injury troubles both this season and last – a broken hand and minor medial ligament damage, respectively – said: “Luckily, I have had good people here around me to get me through what can be a tough time mentally. The gaffer, Doddsy, all the staff and players.
“That support just means, when you do come back fighting fit, you’re even more determined to do your best for those people.
“We’re almost like a family as a club.
“Especially being situated way up in the north, with a lot of the players far away from their families, everyone becomes closer and you do stuff together all the time.
“We all gel well together and know what each other is like.
“You trust team-mates like a friend and you want to help them all the more.”
Sitting for the moment in the relegation zone, County have rarely been more in need of a show of family-style solidarity.
The level of investment and ambition displayed in Dingwall under McIntyre and chairman Roy MacGregor in recent years demands top-flight football at the very least, with a top-six push craved by all at the club.
Boyce, acknowledging confidence has been knocked by reversals like last weekend’s four-goal battering against Motherwell, said: “This match against Rangers is a good chance to turn the tables.
“We know they are a good team, but we have a gameplan going into it.
“It doesn’t matter who we play now, we have to start to do the simple things right and take our chances.
“Confidence is a factor. When the poor run drags on so long, you need to come together.
“We’re quite a tight bunch already and we know one win can change it.”